Park and hospital muddled up in will typing error

A donation in a will was mistakenly given to the trustees of a park instead of a specialist cancer hospital after a typing error by solicitors, according to a council report.

The money had been intended for Weston Park Cancer Hospital, in Sheffield, but was wrongly given to Weston Park Trust as a result of the blunder.

Sheffield City Council, which oversees the park, revealed the error and is now asking councillors on the charity trustee sub-committee to agree the donation should go to the hospital.

The woman died in September 2025 but the council has not disclosed her identity or the donation amount.

According to the report the error was inserted when the woman's will was updated in 2025.

It said: "The deceased's original will included a clear bequest to Weston Park Cancer Hospital, a registered charity distinct from Weston Park Trust.

"In April 2025, the deceased attended her solicitors to amend her will. The amended clause refers to a '25% share to Weston Park Trust', naming Sheffield Council as trustee and citing the registered charity number of Weston Park Trust.

"The solicitors have provided clear written evidence confirming this arose from a drafting error and the donor's consistent and intended wish, as reflected in her earlier will, was for the legacy to benefit the hospital."

Council officers said "in keeping with legal duties to act in good faith" the committee should formally confirm the legacy was not intended for the park at a meeting later.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North