During this October, we are running a campaign called ‘Make a Will Month’ in which we will be raising awareness about this method of giving. Here, Harriet Langston of GNAAS explains why leaving a gift in a will is so important to the charity.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service is there to help anyone who needs us. It could be your next door neighbour, your mother, your brother or your child. We are there to help and could be needed by anybody. Leaving a gift in your will could mean that we are able to be there for someone when they need help most.
What is a gift in your will?
A gift in your will is a donation of money to an individual, group or organisation in your will. In this case it would be to a charity.
How do I go about it?
Either you can go to your solicitor when drafting your will and write the organisation into your will by saying you want to give them a certain amount. Or you can amend a current will by using a codicil. This is just a form you can download from our website that enables you to add things in to your will.
Only wealthy people can leave a gift in their will to a charity?
This common misconception is absolutely not the case. Gifts in peoples’ wills can range from as little or as much as you choose. The Great North Air Ambulance Service has received gifts ranging from £100 to £500,000. If everyone in our region left £100 imagine how much it would raise.
Not only this, it is possible to leave a percentage of your estate to charity or even to leave a specific item.
I don’t want everyone to know.
Gift in wills are a topic that understandably not everyone finds that easy to talk about. The beauty of a gift in your will is that you don’t have to tell anyone except your solicitor. However, if people do feel they want to tell us we love that as it gives us a chance to say thank you. If you were to tell us we would only do what you consented to with this information.
My family comes first.
We couldn’t agree more. It is important to look after your family when you are gone. If there is something left after doing this, it would be fantastic if you would consider leaving it to the service.
Our promise to you:
1. We will not pressure you
2. We will answer your questions honestly
3. We understand your loved ones come first
4 We will spend your gift wisely
All October, GNAAS is raising awareness of the importance of donating in wills. Read more about Make A Will Month here.
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