Moira’s Will: Honouring a legacy of family values

Moira was raised in a close-knit Glasgow family. She learned early on the true meaning of compassion and the profound impact of giving. Throughout life’s journey, those values have guided her most important decisions. 
  
She has fond memories of growing up with a relaxed Christian faith. “We would walk to the local church and back on Sundays.”

Every Christmas, we’d go into George Square in Glasgow. The Salvation Army band would play and there’d be hymns and hot soup and rolls. It was perfection. My parents would put money in the Salvos tin.When Moira was 18, she trained as a nurse in Glasgow. Soon after she met and fell in love with George, a chartered accountant. They married and in 1989, Moira and George emigrated to Australia and in 1995 they moved to Perth, Western Australia. By choice, they never had children and together they built a wonderful life. 
  
Moira is grateful that she’s had abundant love, financial security and safety in her life. She’s aware that many in her community aren’t so fortunate. “As a nurse and in my travels, I’ve met many people who are struggling,” she says. “At times when my husband George was growing up, he also faced hardship.” 
  
She has always felt inspired by people who show compassion and courage in the face of adversity. She will never forget the faith and inner strength of a nurse friend back in Scotland who was facing hard times. She happened to be a Salvation Army soldier. “I admired her,” Moira says. “She stood out.” 
  
That’s why The Salvation Army was front of mind when Moira and George faced a tough time of their own. In the first few years after they arrived in Australia, George could not get a job. When he finally did, they were both filled with gratitude.  
They had a deeper understanding of the suffering people endure. “As soon as George got the job, he called me. He asked me to make a $1,000 donation to The Salvation Army to help others,” Moira recalls. 

In the decades since, Moira and George have continued to donate. It’s a practical way to respond to the hardship and injustice they see in their own community. Moira goes for a brisk walk every day in her neighbourhood. As she looks around, she notices more people are struggling and so many are homeless. “I’ve seen people living in their cars,” she says. 
  
Knowing The Salvation Army is taking hope and practical support where it’s needed most has inspired Moira to leave a gift in her Will. Her great hope is that she can help “narrow the divide” between those with and those without. She went to her solicitor for help to prepare a Will that could carry on the values and beliefs she holds so dear. “It’s a natural thing for me to give and think of others.” 
  
The legacy Moira can have through her Will hit home recently as she was watching the news. In bushfires north of Perth, she saw Salvation Army workers on the frontline, helping people in urgent need. “I thought to myself ‘That’s one way I will be supporting people in crisis through my gift in my Will’.” 
  
Moira’s decision to leave a gift in her Will also makes her feel close to her family. “My parents were always generous and would be so proud of my choice,” she says.

I have been very careful with our money and saved well. It’s a natural thing for me to give and think of others.