how long do you plan to live for ?
I think the average is in the upper seventies these days.
£17,000 invested at, say 5%, is £850 pa (£70 a month, £16 a week) and you keep the £17,000 (taking inflation into account it'll be worth less than today) to leave to your grandchildren. You can compare that to the £44 you quoted.
Unsure there is a clear answer. You takes your money and makes your choice. And if after you die you decide it was the wrong decision, you can come back and haunt all those who gave you bad advice.