Over half of UK households rely on charities - celebrating the people who leave gifts in Wills that make it possible

This Remember A Charity Week (8–14 September), new research shows that over half (52%) of UK households turned to charitable services in the last year alone*. Charities are a lifeline for millions, and it’s thanks to donations from people’s Wills, alongside gifts made in our lifetime, that people are able to rely on charitable services today and for generations to come.

Against this backdrop, we've launched our national ‘Thanks To…’ campaign, celebrating the remarkable generosity of those who choose to leave a charitable gift in their Will. The campaign is fronted by broadcaster, comedian and family man Johnny Ball, who joins people from across the UK whose lives have been transformed thanks to charitable gifts left in Wills. Their stories highlight the remarkable impact such generosity makes.

Charitable support is a lifeline for households across the UK

According to new data from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and YouGov, almost a quarter of people surveyed (24%) received support in the form of vital services such as debt advice, ongoing medical care, mental health support, ‘meals on wheels’ and emergency housing*. For those in crisis or in need of long-term care, charities often provide a lifeline that simply isn’t available elsewhere. 

Across the UK, people are turning to charities not only in times of need but to enrich their daily lives. Nearly half of people (47%) turned to charities for joy and connection, whether attending a community centre or voluntary group, a theatre performance, a visit to a charity-run museum, garden or property, or even by adopting a pet*.

Increasingly, donations from people’s Wills are sustaining charitable services and enabling charities to respond to rising demand for support. Every day, more than 100 people across the UK leave a gift to charity in their Will, raising £4.5 billion for good causes in 2024 alone**. Behind each gift lies a personal story of gratitude, hope, and lives changed for the better. These gifts don’t just fund services—they carry forward the kindness, empathy, and values of the people who give them.

‘Thanks to…’ campaign

At the campaign’s heart is a powerful collection of real-life stories, told directly from those who have been supported by charities. These celebrate and thank those who have left gifts to charity in their Wills, showing the breadth of support and services their generosity has provided. From caring for families after the death of a loved one and finding forever homes for animals, to providing companionship to those in later life, helping someone with a disability achieve their goals and researching life-saving treatment and support.

Find out more about their stories here.

Remember A Charity’s ambassador Johnny Ball, recognises the overwhelming impact that leaving a gift to charity in your Will can have. 

Johnny Ball says: "I recall when my wife Di and I were much younger with three young children, we were asked separately whether we planned to be buried or cremated, and quite independently, we both said, 'We’re not going!' However, we are older now, and well aware that we will go sometime.

“We’re all part of a great human relay race. Leaving a gift in my Will feels like passing the baton with love and purpose. To those who have already done so – thank you. Your generosity will touch lives long after we’re gone, helping us all, in our own way, live forever. If you haven’t yet, please consider leaving a gift to charity in your Will. Together, we can make a difference that lasts beyond a lifetime."

Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, says: “So many of us rely on charities at key points in our lifetimes—whether that’s for care in times of crisis or for the experiences that bring joy to our everyday lives. With more people choosing to remember the causes they care about in their Will, these donations have become increasingly important in sustaining these services. This Remember A Charity Week, charities and beneficiaries are coming together to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has chosen to leave a gift in this way, because their actions really do make a lasting difference.”

“By supporting good causes from our Wills alongside our loved ones, we can ensure that, even when we’re no longer here, our values live on, continuing to bring comfort, hope, and vital support to those who need it most.”