The campaign highlights the impact of legacy donations and calls on the public to pass on something wonderful in their will.
More kind-hearted Brits are leaving gifts to charities in their Wills than ever before, with a million legacies left in the past decade*, according to new research from Remember A Charity and Smee & Ford.
Len Goodman, former head judge of Strictly Come Dancing and head judge on Dancing with the Stars who launched Remember A Charity Week last year, will be lending his support to the campaign week for the fourth year running.
To mark the start of Remember A Charity Week, the data reveals that the percentage of people leaving a gift to charity in their Will has increased by almost a third (30%) over the past 20 years**, with more people than ever choosing to support a charity close to their heart - even after they’ve gone.
Gifts in Wills are a critical source of funding for charities across the country, raising more than £3 billion for good causes annually and have been the fastest growing source of voluntary income for charities over the past twenty-one years.
In this region, legacies both large and small have made a huge difference to the work of Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Donations of all sizes have helped it provide vital protection for local wildlife, landscapes and endangered species, manage its nature reserves for everybody to enjoy and run school and community events.
In 2019, a legacy from the late George Swan, emeritus professor of organic chemistry at Newcastle University helped towards the purchase of the 600-acre Benshaw Moor in Redesdale by the Trust to save its important wildlife and habitats including peatland and limestone springs from intensive commercial forestry and the installation of wind turbines.
Recognising the importance of gifts in Wills, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has partnered with UK online Will specialists Guardian Angel, who are already working with a number of other UK Wildlife Trusts, to offer wildlife lovers a free Will and the opportunity to leave a fixed sum or percentage of their estate to support the work it does.
Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says: “It’s is a common myth that only the rich and famous leave money to charity when they pass away, but this could not be further from the truth. The reality is that without the gifts left in Wills by members of the public over the years, we would have struggled to continue some of our work, which is why I am delighted the Trust has joined forces with Guardian Angel.
“Over the years, but especially the past 18 months, people have turned to nature for comfort and support, so what better way to ensure it remains part of people’s lives than by visiting www.gawill.uk/northwt and starting your legacy journey?”
About the Research
Research conducted by Smee & Ford in 2020/21.
*1 million legacies left between 2010-2020. Smee & Ford record over 100,000 bequests in Wills per annum.
**The percentage of people choosing to leave a gift to charity in their Will, after looking after friends and family first, has increased by a third (30%) since the year 2000.
