Sue Ryder is encouraging people to leave a lasting legacy and secure the future of their loved ones
Howard Lake | 11 January 2011 | News
Most people postpone writing a Will especially if they are still working as they feel it is too early in their life to think about it. In England almost two-thirds of people have not written a Will.* In some countries a deceased’s possession must go to specific people, but in England and Wales if a person dies ‘intestate’ – without a Will – the government decides how their estate will be divided up amongst family and loved ones**.
National health and social care charity Sue Ryder is launching its Legacy Campaign through its nationwide network of 350 charity shops to raise awareness of the importance of writing a Will. Now in its third year, the campaign also asks people to consider leaving a gift in their Will in aid of the charity.
Throughout January Sue Ryder’s charity shops on will display information about legacy giving and people will have the chance to learn more about the advantages of writing a Will by calling 01452 771 143 or visiting www.suerydercare.org to require an information pack.
Sue Ryder’s customers and donors will also have the chance to enter a free raffle for a chance to win a cruise for two to The Dutch Bulb Fields given by Phoenix Holidays Ltd. Group Sales Managing Director, Anu Desai, says, “Phoenix Holidays are proud to be working in partnership with Sue Ryder, we hope our support will help the charity continue its work providing compassionate care for people with end of life and long term conditions. We wish Sue Ryder every success with their Legacy Campaign in 2011.”
Gill Cannon, who worked in the legal sector as a Family Lawyer for more than 20 years and is now Legacy Manager at Sue Ryder, explained: “Nowadays most people are homeowners or shareholders and it is important to think ahead to make sure you leave what you want to the people you love and care about. It is never too early to think about writing a Will. Some people believe that they will need to write one when they are older and fragile or they decide to postpone it as they think it may be too expensive.
But if you want to protect the future of the people you love and ensure they will receive what you want, it is essential to write a Will as soon as possible and keep it updated if there are any changes in your personal circumstances. Anyone who owns a house, has children or has a small amount of savings should write one. Making a Will can also reduce Inheritance Tax and give you the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy to a charity close to your heart”.
Sue Ryder works with a network of reputable solicitors nationwide and The Goodwill Partnership to provide people with a Will writing service that is secure and regulated by official bodies. For instance, the Goodwill Partnership offers a solicitor-provided Will-writing service visiting people in the comfort of their own homes with no obligation to sign up to the service.
Gill added: “As well as informing people about the importance of writing a Will, we are also encouraging people to leave a gift – a legacy – to the charity in their Will. Any gift, be it a small percentage of their estate, a set amount of money or a specific gift, will help Sue Ryder provide end of life care and long-term social care for thousands of people who live with debilitating conditions such as cancer, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, dementia and Motor Neurone disease”.
All money raised through legacies and voluntary donations helps Sue Ryder provide care and support to people living with complex conditions at a very fragile time of their life as well as to their family and loved ones through residential, in-patient, day care, homecare and community-based services.
Samantha Cheverton, Healthcare Manager at Sue Ryder, commented: “The money raised for Sue Ryder will help to ensure that people who are not going to get better can still enjoy the best quality of life for as long as they live. We believe that everyone who needs our expert care should be able to receive it and live their lives with dignity and independence.
A gift as small as £15 provides a half hour physiotherapy session for someone with Multiple Sclerosis to help increase their mobility, £50 pays for a programme of bereavement sessions to help people cope with loss and £300 covers the daily cost of running a bed in one of the charity’s 6 hospices across the country”.
If you would like to know more about legacy giving and writing a Will please call 01452 771 143 or visit www.suerydercare.org
Source:
* Dying Matters Coalition; http://www.dyingmatters.org/site/why-talk-about-it
**the Law Society; http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/home.law
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About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.