Wills & Legacies

If you've been inspired by what you've read you may want to consider leaving a legacy to The Share Foundation in your will. As we explain, we are seeking to build an inheritance for young people in care to help them reach their potential: so, if you have made provision for your own children or grandchildren, a legacy would be a great help in breaking the cycle of deprivation for these young people who are not so fortunate. A gift in your Will can help us improve the condition of life and financial situation of the most disadvantaged young people in the United Kingdom.

Over half the population of England have not yet made a will and, of those who have, 50% do not keep it up to date. Having an up to date will is the best way to ensure that your family will be looked after in the way you want: making and updating a Will is vitally important. It gives you control of your affairs and it removes any uncertainty for those left behind.

The Law Society website gives some good advice about how to go about preparing a Will, and the Money Advice Service also has some information on possible tax benefits. 

Should you wish to include The Share Foundation in your Will you could suggest the following wording suggestions to your solicitor. This will ensure that your wishes are accurately followed:

A Residuary bequest (a proportion):

"I give (%) of the residue of my real and personal estate which I can dispose of by Will in any manner I think proper to The Share Foundation (Registered Charity No. 1108068) of 1st Floor, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8HT and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or the proper officer for the time being of The Share Foundation shall be a complete discharge to my Executors."

A Pecuniary bequest (a set sum):

"I give the sum of ...... pounds to The Share Foundation (Registered Charity No. 1108068) of 1st Floor, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8HT and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of The Share Foundation shall be a complete discharge to my Executors."

You can also leave a Specific bequest, for example an item of jewellery, shares or a property to The Share Foundation in your Will.

It is important to ensure that the following clause is inserted, whichever wording you need to use:

"If at my death any charity named as a beneficiary in this Will or any Codicil hereto has changed its name or amalgamated with or transferred its assets to another body then my Executors shall give effect to any gift made to such charity as if it had been made (in the first case) to the body in its changed name or (in the second place) to the body which results from such amalgamation or to which such transfer has been made."

Please also remember to use our full name, The Share Foundation and the correct registered address and charity number. The Share Foundation would advise that anyone making a Will should seek independent legal advice from a practising solicitor.

If you have any questions regarding leaving a legacy to The Share Foundation, please contact Kathryn Caswell on 01296 310409 or kathryn.caswell@sharefound.org.