“It means our mum’s story isn’t ending.”

Sigried Greenwood, a remarkable woman, left a gift in her will to Bolton Hospice, and in doing so added another chapter to her remarkable story.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Sigried tragically lost her father in a concentration camp before fleeing war-torn Europe as a child. She eventually found her new home in Bolton in the 1950s, a young woman alone in a foreign country, and decided to dedicate her life to helping others.  

Evidence of Sigried’s kind-heartedness was clear from early on. She scoured charity shops to send much-needed clothes home to her family, found a job involving caring for others – as an auxiliary nurse at the old Bolton Royal Infirmary – and settled into life as a mother to her growing family of five children.

Her daughters, Anita Hindley and Jacqui Byland, remember well how their mother’s kindness extended beyond her family, as she tirelessly supported local charities. Sigried could often be found knitting hats for premature babies and making and selling jams and chutneys to raise funds for the newly opened Bolton Hospice.

Following a lifetime of offering practical help to charities whenever she could, it was no real surprise to her family when Sigried said she was going to leave a gift to Bolton Hospice in her will.

“She wanted to do this because she wanted to keep on giving to others and she knew that it was donations that kept the hospice going,” explained Jacqui.

Sigried left £6,000 to Bolton Hospice, helping local families facing terminal and life-limiting illnesses. Her family are grateful that by leaving a gift in her will, Sigried’s commitment to caring for others can continue.

“It means our mum’s story is not ending,” added Jacqui. “It just goes on, living through the wonderful work the hospice does for local people.

“I think that’s what she wanted really – a way of continuing caring when she had gone.”

Now, Sigried’s family are encouraging others to leave a gift in their will for Bolton Hospice.

“Whilst it’s a sad time, losing a loved one, by them leaving a gift it can also be a celebration of the lasting legacy they’re going to have.

“That help, that gift, really does just keep on giving.”