Leave a legacy
Your lasting memorial
Leaving a gift in your Will to the charity could be your personal memorial to help protect the nation’s war memorials and ensure that future generations can pay their respects in the years to come.
War Memorials Trust is dependent on voluntary contributions to undertake its work and is very grateful for the support received from donors.
Making a gift in your Will
If the time is ever right and after you have looked after the needs of your loved ones we hope that you will consider remembering War Memorials Trust in your Will. Giving in this way will cost you nothing now and a gift of any size will make a really big difference to the charity. A legacy does not get taxed so every penny comes straight to the charity. It can also reduce inheritance tax because the taxable value of the estate is calculated after charitable bequests are made.
Before you make your Will you may wish to consult a solicitor. They will need the registered charity number, charity name and address. If you do not have a solicitor, and you live in England or Wales, we suggest that you contact the Law Society at the address below:
The Law Society
113 Chancery Lane
London WC2A 1PL
T: 020 7242 1222
W: www.lawsociety.org.uk
In Scotland and Northern Ireland contact War Memorials Trust and we can discuss how you might locate a solicitor.
Types of legacy
You can choose to leave a proportion of your estate to charity. This is called a residual gift. Alternatively, you may wish to give a cash gift which can be known as a pecuniary gift. You should always discuss with your solicitor or Will writer which is most appropriate.
Below is the suggested wording for your Will depending on the type of gift you may like to make.
- A proportion of your estate
I give (all or % share of) the residue of my estate to War Memorials Trust (Registered Charity Commission Number 1201442) 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QP for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a valid and appropriate form of discharge. If at the date of my death the Charity is no longer in existence, is in the process of winding-up, has amalgamated with another charity or has changed its name [my Executors shall pay the legacy to such other charitable body or bodies having the same or similar objects as my Executors shall select] [the legacy shall lapse].
- Cash gift
I give to War Memorials Trust (Registered Charity Commission Number 1201442) 14 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0QP the sum of (specific amount in figures and words) to be used for its general charitable purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a valid and appropriate form of discharge. If at the date of my death the charity is no longer in existence, is in the process of winding-up, has amalgamated with another charity or has changed its name [my Executors shall pay the legacy to such other charitable body or bodies having the same or similar objects as my Executors shall select] [the legacy shall lapse].
What if I already have a Will?
If you already have a Will but would like to amend it to include a gift to War Memorials Trust you can complete a Codicil form (available from the charity) and send it to your professional advisor. You should take advice to ensure it does not conflict with your current Will. Codicils are a simple and cheaper way of amending a Will without going through the entire process.
Further action or information
If you are considering leaving a gift in your Will to War Memorials Trust and would like to talk to us please Contact us.
If you decide to leave a legacy to War Memorials Trust please let us know as we would welcome the opportunity to thank you properly. This is no way legally binding and you can change your mind at any time.