Leaving a gift in your Will
Why leave a legacy gift?
Big or small, a gift in your Will helps us to achieve our mission of supporting visually-impaired people of all ages in Norfolk to overcome barriers to independence and to live the lives they want.
There are over 36,000 people in Norfolk with sight loss and this figure is continuing to grow year on year. With your funds, we can continue to:
- Tackle social isolation amongst visually-impaired people, through social and leisure opportunities, befriending and other support
- Provide practical help to visually-impaired people in the community and in their own homes by our network of volunteers
- Deliver expert support in the clinical environment by providing staff and volunteers in eye clinics, especially to help people at the point they first start losing their sight
- Enable visually-impaired people to live independently by providing supported permanent accommodation
- Provide high-intensity residential care for elderly visually-impaired people in the charity’s care home, Thomas Tawell House
- Support visually-impaired children and young people and their families practically, emotionally and socially
- Campaign on issues which will enable visually-impaired people to live independent and fulfilled lives
Our services have provided a lifeline for people across Norfolk for over 200 years and your legacy will help us ensure we are here for the next 200 years.
Why are they so important?
Vision Norfolk has relied on legacies since its inception and this channel has provided the backbone of our funding. Sadly, legacy income fell from last financial year to this by two thirds, to an all-time low of £227, 268. The legacy market is changing due to the increase in financial uncertainty and as more families pass on their inheritance to their loved ones. Nevertheless, we ask that you do think about charitable giving when making your Will.
How do I leave a gift in my Will?
Remembering a charity in your Will is extremely easy, but certain guidelines must be adhered to, or your wishes may not be followed.
In essence there are three basic types of Will: Residuary, Pecuniary and Special Gifts.
Residuary Gifts represent the remainder of your estate after all creditors and other beneficiaries have been paid. Pecuniary Gifts represent a specific sum to be donated. Special Gifts are gifts of specific articles; property, stamp collections etc. When making your Will (in whichever way you decide to do it) it is important that you use the wording outlined below and that the Will, or its amendment (called a codicil) is witnessed and signed independently.
Although writing a Will is a private affair, we would like to ask you to consider sharing with us your intention to make a legacy in advance of your death. There are several reasons for this: firstly, it gives us the opportunity to thank you for your kind support. Secondly, if you allow us to use your story, we hope that it will inspire others to do likewise. Thirdly, it helps us in planning ahead.
Do speak to Rob Collins, Individual Giving Fundraiser on [email protected] or 01603 561299 if you would like to discuss your options.
Services we offer
We have teamed up with Kwil to offer you the ability to make your Will through a simple online process. For a small fee of £90 for a single Will or £120 for a couple Will. In addition, 50% of this fee is donated back to us at Vision Norfolk. Kwil will guide you the process of creating your Will online. There are no hidden costs and your Will is checked by legal experts. There is live telephone support and advice from Kwil’s team of UK based experts.
Specific wording of legacies
Residuary Gifts
A gift of the whole or a share of your estate might be expressed in your Will as…
I GIVE / the whole / or / …..% / of my residuary estate free of all taxes to The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (registered charity no: 207060) of 106 Magpie Road, NORWICH, Norfolk, NR3 1JH / for its general purposes/ / AND I REQUEST (without creating any binding trust or any legal obligation) that in applying the same it shall give effect to any written expression of wishes left by me relating to this gift/ AND I DECLARE that the receipt of a proper officer of the said body shall be a full discharge to my Executors and Trustees.
Pecuniary Gifts
A gift of a fixed amount of money might be expressed in your Will as…
I GIVE the sum of £… (……..) free of all taxes to The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (registered charity no: 207060) of 106 Magpie Road, NORWICH, Norfolk, NR3 1JH / for its general purposes /AND I REQUEST etc. as above (if applicable)/ AND I DECLARE that the receipt of a proper officer of the said body shall be a full discharge to my Executors and Trustees.
Please insert the amount in figures and then in words within the brackets.
Specific Gifts
I bequeath my ________________________________________ (eg. property, shares, jewellery, works of art etc.) to The Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind (registered charity no: 207060) of 106 Magpie Road, NORWICH, Norfolk, NR3 1JH and the receipt of a proper officer for the time being of the said body shall be a full discharge to my Executors and Trustees.
Please describe the asset to be given.
Please note that you need to complete a letter of wishes in suitable terms if you want to specify any particular purpose(s) for which your gift is to be applied. If you send a copy of your letter to us in advance, we can check whether your wishes are appropriate and legally achievable.
Writing a new Will
When writing a new Will it is important to get it checked by a legal professional and that you sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who also sign it). Signing can be witnessed both in person and remotely (for example by video conferencing). In both cases: you must have a clear view of the person and the act of signing the Will maker (or person authorised to sign on their behalf) and witnesses must sign the same document. You can only sign remotely in England or Wales. You cannot leave your witnesses (or their married partners) anything in your Will.
Adding a Codicil
If you make any changes to your Will you must follow the same signing and witnessing process.
Storing a Will
You can store your Will in a safe place at home, or register and store it at the National Will Safe for a small annual fee.
