The importance of charitable legacies

Legacy income is worth around £1.9** billion a year to the work of charities. Gifts left in Wills are the foundation for many charities in the UK, and without them they would struggle to survive.

 While 74%* of the UK population support charities, only 7%* leave a legacy to them, although that is changing day by day.  We know through our research that 35%* of the UK population are ‘happy to give a small amount to charity in their Will after they have looked after their family and friends’ and at Remember A Charity we are looking to close this gap.  By taking a ‘family first, charity second’ approach, making it relevant for ordinary people and then helping them understand what to do, we can make some big steps in helping people to change their attitudes.

If, together, we can grow the sector by just 4%, we could raise an extra £1 billion for UK charities.

*TNS Social 2008

**Legacy Foresight 2009