Make a Charitable Legacy

Why not benefit a Local Charity in your Will?

It doesn’t have to be a big national one, it could be a Charity in Polegate, Eastbourne, Hailsham or anywhere in Sussex.   If you run a Registered Charity within a few miles of Polegate, do let me have the details and I will happily list you on this page. We can even help you raise your income from Will legacy giving by your supporters. Major charities welcome legacies, but they could revolutionise local ones – or do some of both! I don’t charge extra for multiple charities – within reason!

Remember that leaving a charitable gift of 10% or more of your estate can reduce the Inheritance Tax bill – that one is worth thinking about.

We also have a unique facility which enables you to change the charities you benefit without having to pay for a new Will or a Codicil (I have seen local firms charge over £200 for a simple Codicil.)

Some firms will write a Codicil to add a charitable gift:

there are two problems with that:

1. The codicil writer is effectively warranting that the original Will is 100% correct and up to date and accepting liability.
2. Codicils can very easily get lost, as attaching them to the original Will is likely to invalidate the Will!

Much better is to have a proper review and a fully up-to-date Will which includes the charitable gift, and is up to date with changes in Tax, Family Circumstances and changes in the Law.  Sounds expensive, but our fee for a brand new Will is less than that charged by many local firms for a simple codicil.

We also rather like the Charitable Aid Foundation, which can add considerable flexibility to your charitable legacy – happy to have a chat about it, just call Steve on 01323 766766. If I can help, I will do and I appreciate that this sort of fundraising is a slow burn, but charitable gifts in Will can really build up and revolutionise a charity over the years.  It is pretty unlikely that your charity will no longer be needed in ten or even 20+ years.  Build the base for the future now.

The impact of charitable gifts in Wills

Gifts in Wills are a vital source of income to the charity sector, generating £3.85 billion for good causes each year.
6 out of 10 RNLI rescue launches would not be possible without gifts in Wills
Nearly two out of every three guide dogs are funded by legacies.

Local Charities – primarily Polegate, Eastbourne or Hailsham. Can I list yours? Maybe we could create some Legacy income?

I haven’t listed specific church charities, as they will appeal to their flock primarily, but if any would like some help to raise giving in Wills, do get in touch.

• Eastbourne Dementia Action Alliance aims to help people with dementia enjoy life. 
• UK Heritage Aviation Trust – no one truly sane would consider restoring a heritage aircaft?
• InspireSussex on 01323 722034 is helping people with learning disabilities to flourish and they are in need of a minibus – why not give them a helping hand?
• The Bernhard Baron Care Home a tremendous care home with additional cottage homes for semi-independent living.
• One Charity I rather like – trying to save the World through Carbon Offset – perfect for business or personal use! Who can’t afford to help them?
• Chasely Trust is an independent charity-owned care home located in a stunning location on Eastbourne’s seafront. We provide specialist, complex nursing care for adults with a wide range of neurological and physical disabilities such as spinal injury, acquired and traumatic brain injury, stroke, loss of limbs and progressive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone and Parkinson’s Disease. Our main age group is 18 – 65 years and we provide short-term respite for up to 3 months or permanent residential care.
• Children with Cancer is a brilliant charity, based in Polegate and Willingdon.  Well worth remembering in your Will! Check them out.
• Polegate Community Association is a really good facility for locals  – the link opens on the What’s On page.
• Charityworks – it is amazing what you find if you are looking.  They recruit graduates to work (paid) for 12 months on Charitable Projects with the intention of improving the flow of talented graduates into charities. Perhaps you have a spare graduate at home?
• Community Training Assistance and Support (CTAS) aim is to help improve the lives of people by alleviating financial hardship and sickness and assisting in advancing education, mainly in Nepal.
• How could I forget the brilliant work of St Wilfrid’s Hospice?
• You Raise Me Up raises funds to support families that have suffered the loss of a young person aged 16-25 years. Check out their cafe in Polegate High Street.
• The Lawrence Charitable Trust was setup for advancing education for the public benefit.
• The Eastbourne Parents Action Group works with Chalk Farm Hotel in Coopers Hill.
• Computers for Charities – bet you can’t guess what they do!
• Keys Community Detox works with churches to provide a holistic, community-based programme of medical, spiritual and community support, helping people escape addiction.
• Hainsford Foundation supports initiatives aimed at increasing access to further education for disadvantaged young people and widening broader training and educational opportunities.
• Hailsham Foodbank
• The John Jackson Charitable Trust welcomes applications for grants, particularly in education, heritage, social welfare, disability, animal welfare, community sports, and community arts.
• Eastbourne Foodbank.
• The Matthew 25 Mission helps support vulnerable and marginalised communities in Eastbourne.
• Eastbourne Dementia Action Alliance signposting ways to improve the quality of lives of people living with dementia and/or their families, friends and carers.
• Eastbourne Blind Society membership is open to all who have any degree of sight loss and who live in the area.
• The Early Birth Association makes a positive difference for babies, families and staff in Neonatal Care at the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
• Epilepsy Sussex works closely with local consultants and epilepsy nurses throughout Sussex.
• Holding Space a safe, non-judgmental, confidential space for parents and carers, whose children are struggling with their mental health.
• Wayfinder Woman we help those who are feeling anxious and uncertain about themselves or their future.
• Community Wise is all about connectedness and vibrant community life.
• The JPK Project is fundraising to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
• Just Friends was set up after the founders’ wife died now over 500 people living alone in East Sussex connect, socialise and overcome loneliness together.
• Hope Woodwork support individuals and groups that have a variety of backgrounds, including unemployment and part-time workers, supported accommodation, substance misuse recovery, probation, receiving counselling, etc, through their life journey towards employment.
• East Sussex Foster Care Association facilitates life-changing experiences for fostered children to enable brighter futures for the whole fostering family.
• Care for the Carers’ help and advice for carers.

Every single one of these charities would be delighted to receive a charitable legacy, so why not get in touch and get the ball rolling?