Leaving a legacy of kindness

As you may know, Age UK Bristol is an independent local charity supporting older people and their families in Bristol to live happier, healthier lives. We’ve been working in the city for over 25 years, and plan to be around for at least another 25 years to come.

One way you can support our work to continue is to consider putting us in your will and leave a legacy of kindness, so that our work can continue to help older people in need.

We’ve compiled some information to help you through the process of making a will:

There are 3 main types of gift you can make:

• Residuary – a share in, or all of, what is left of the value of your estate after family and friends have been taken care of.
• Pecuniary – a specific sum of money.
• Specific – an item such as jewellery or a piece of art.

The advantage of leaving a share (also known as a residuary gift) is that it stays the same over time and you won't need to change your will to keep up with inflation.

If you already have a will

If you already have a will and you want to include a gift to Age UK Bristol (sometimes called a legacy), there may not be any need to rewrite it.

You can ask a qualified professional such as a solicitor to add an amendment (called a codicil). As a general rule, if the change you wish to make is quite small or simple, you can use a codicil, and if the change is more significant or complex you should make a new will.

Suggested wording when leaving a gift in a new will

Residuary

I give the residue of my estate to Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6BY (Registered Charity Number 1042548) for its general charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the Chief Executive or other proper officer of the said charity for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said gift.

Pecuniary and Specific

I give the sum of £_____ (or the item specified) to Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6BY (Registered Charity Number 1042548) for its general charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the Chief Executive or other proper officer of the said charity for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said gift.

We can't recommend a particular solicitor to make your will but we suggest you contact the Law Society who can provide details of solicitors in your area, including those who specialise in wills. We always recommend that your will is drafted by a qualified professional such as a solicitor as their businesses are regulated by law.

Thank you

 “We have no children, and decided that we would leave any amounts in excess of the available nil-rate band to charities. That way, the inheritance tax bill is zero, and we can help charities continue their work.

I know that Age UK Bristol does excellent work for older people in Bristol, but has difficulty in attracting adequate funding. We hope our legacy will enable it to continue its existing work, and perhaps develop new ways of easing the lives of older people in Bristol, our home city.” Geoffrey Clements, Trustee and Supporter

None of our work would be possible without the kindness of those that support us. Leaving a legacy doesn’t cost you a penny now, but could make a lifetime of difference in the future.

If you have any questions or want to talk about your gift, please contact Jen DeKalb-Poyer, Communications and Fundraising Manager, fundraising@ageukbristol.org.uk or 0117 929 7537.