Leave A Legacy
A Lasting Gift
Our charity based in Moreton-in-Marsh has been supporting older and vulnerable people throughout the remote North Cotswolds for over 40 years. Our committed volunteers bring friendship and practical and emotional support to those who are lonely or isolated. A smile, a cup of tea and a chat, an invitation, a lift for an appointment – these everyday things enable people to live independently at home for longer and make the difference in later life.
Cotswold Friends will always need support from the local community to keep these vital services going and we appreciate each and every gift. One important way of giving is through a legacy, which helps us plan into the future, so we especially appreciate such gifts. By including Cotswold Friends in your will, your gift will be of direct help to those needing our support in the future, at no cost to you now.
Your gift will have a lasting impact on Cotswold Friends, whichever aspect of our services you choose to support: Befriending, Carer Support, Community Activities, Community Transport or Intergenerational Projects. A gift in your will is free from tax and it could reduce the inheritance tax due on your estate. (Cotswold Friends is a registered charity no. 1106748. For more information, please contact our Fundraising Manager or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk).
Our Circle of Friends
Through our Circle of Friends, we thank all our donors. When you make a gift or pledge a legacy to Cotswold Friends, you will be invited to become a member of the Circle. If you are thinking about making a legacy, please let us know so that we understand your wishes and ensure these are met. We fully understand that making a will is a private and personal matter, so all discussions are kept confidential and, if you decide to remain anonymous, your wishes will be fully respected.
Leaving a Legacy
If you wish to make a legacy in favour of Cotswold Friends, we recommend that you seek qualified legal and financial advice to ensure that your interests, and those of family members, are protected and properly recorded. The two most common forms of legacies are pecuniary and residual. A pecuniary legacy is a gift of a specific sum of money or gifts ‘in kind’ such as property, stocks and shares and other valuables. A residuallegacy would leave all, or a proportion of your estate to the charity (after specific bequests and costs have been deducted.
In addition, a reversionary legacy is given in trust to provide for someone during their lifetime and following this the gift then passes to the charity.
Altering a Will
Simple alterations can be made by adding a codicil to your will. A codicil confirms the original will and also adds to it. Codicils need to be witnessed, signed, and dated in exactly the same way as your will. The witnesses do not have to be the same as those who witnessed your will, but they cannot be beneficiaries under the will or codicil, or the spouse of a beneficiary. Re-writing your will is not usually necessary but a solicitor can advise you.
Finding the right words
Examples of standard wording are available and these can be tailored to reflect your own circumstances and wishes. For more information, including sample wording for legacies, or if you would like your legacy used in a particular way, please contact us. All discussions will be treated in the strictest confidence.
If you know someone who has benefited from Cotswold Friends’ services, please consider supporting us. Thank you for thinking of Cotswold Friends and this very important way to support the charity’s future.
To discuss a legacy or make a donation:
Tel: 01608 692812