Jill Coggan

Jill Coggan has a very personal connection to Barnardos that will live on into the future.

When Jill was just three weeks old, she was adopted through Barnardos and has left a gift in her Will to “pay it forward”.

Her adoptive mother Margaret ran the post office in an outer suburb of London. She was a much loved and respected member of the local community, well known for volunteering with Dr Barnardos services during the war.

Adopting Jill as a single woman in her 40s and raising her in the difficult post-war years was challenging for Margaret but Jill always felt safe and loved. “There was no way that anything could ever harm me with Mum around,” says Jill.

Tragically, when Jill was just eleven years old, Margaret died from bowel cancer. But her mother had saved diligently, so that after she passed away, Jill was able to attend boarding school.

Jill remains deeply grateful for the time she had with her mother, particularly for the love and care she received in those crucial formative years of her childhood. “Her altruism, sense of social justice and big heart has influenced who I am today”.

Jill is leaving a gift to Barnardos in her Will, so that another child has the opportunity “to be loved and accepted as part of a family”, as she was able to experience with Margaret.

We thank Jill for her generosity in helping future generations of vulnerable children and young people by leaving Barnardos a gift in her Will.