Only 46% of over 40’s have a Will according to research conducted by Remember a Charity, released in conjunction with Remember a Charity week which concludes on Sunday 17th September.
The poll showed that around 60% of UK adults have not yet written their Will; a statistic which remains largely unchanged in recent years.
As part of Remember a Charity week a new “Be Remembered” campaign has been launched online to inspire the public think about how they wish to be remembered, and shape their legacy by leaving a gift to charity in their Will.
The research comes in the same week that Co-Op Legal Services revealed an 18% increase in the value of legacy gifting in Wills written by the firm over the past 12 months; and a recent consumer poll identified that 40% of UK adults say they would be happy to leave a gift to charity after taking care of loved ones and 46% would feel proud if a loved one left a donation to charity in their Will.
“Be Remembered” also reminds people that you don’t need to be wealthy to leave a gift to charity; even a small legacy can make a difference and help to fund vital work.
Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, says:
“Remember A Charity Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the phenomenal impact of gifts in Wills on charities and charitable services across the UK. Thanks to the support of solicitor firms and Will-writers, along with a wide network of legal partners, one in four professionally-written Wills now include a charitable donation1. That income has never been more valued or more needed.
“This week, we’re hoping to encourage more firms to get involved and use this platform to spark conversation about Will-writing more widely, encouraging clients to consider how they wish to be remembered and to inspire even more people to consider leaving a gift in their Will.”
Remember A Charity Week brings together around 200 member charities and the campaign’s network of over 850 solicitor firms and Will-writers, legal partners and government to encourage everyone to consider leaving a gift to their favourite charities in their Will, alongside gifts for family and friends. The consortium also runs a free Campaign Supporter scheme for legal firms.
To find out more or take part in Remember A Charity Week (11-17 September 2023), visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk
