Leave a legacy
Make a lasting difference to older people in developing countries by remembering HelpAge International with a gift in your Will.
A legacy could make a big difference to the lives of older people in developing countries
Photo: Azuma Nakahira/HelpAge International
Leaving a charitable legacy or bequest
Would you like to contribute to ensuring no older person in a developing country is left without food or income security?
Do you want everyone to have access to the health support they need in order not to suffer unnecessarily as their health weakens?
Do you think it is important to challenge all forms of age discrimination and make sure that aid agencies and governments ensure that the relief they provide in emergency situation is accessible to older people?
We realise that of course family and friends will be your top priority, but it would be wonderful if you could also consider leaving the world a better place by remembering HelpAge International with a gift in your Will.
Having an impact
Giving through your Will costs you nothing in your life time but can have a major impact on older people in some of the world's poorest communities.
For example:
- $500 could help provide start up grants and training to enable ten older people to start a small business to feed themselves and their families
- $2,500 could help bring eye-care, diabetes medication, pain killers and other medical support to older people in remote areas
- $10,000 could help us train humanitarian workers worldwide on how to meet the needs of older people caught up in disasters and emergencies
How to leave a legacy
You can leave a specific sum of money or an item, such as jewellery or a piece of art, to help further HelpAge International's work to stand up for the rights of older people overseas.
Alternatively, you can leave a share in, or all of, what's left in your estate after all bills have been paid and all other legacies have been distributed.
If you already have a Will, it's quick and simple to include a gift to HelpAge International.
Usually you won't need to write a new Will; a legal professional can make an amendment for a minimal cost.
Template wording for UK Wills
If you have decided to remember HelpAge International in your Will you may like to take this wording with you when you visit your solicitor.
It is important that the following clause is included in your Will, 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."
Then, depending on the kind of legacy you wish to make, you may find one of the wordings below useful:
Leaving a percentage of your estate (a residuary bequest)
I give (%) of the residue of my real and personal estate which I can dispose of by Will in any manner I think proper charity name (charity registration number) of charity address and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or the proper officer for the time being of charity name shall be a complete discharge to my executors.
Leaving a set sum (a pecuniary bequest)
I give the sum of ...... to charity name (charity registration number) of charity address and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of HelpAge International shall be a complete discharge to my executors.
Leaving a named item (a specific legacy bequest)
I, give to charity name (charity registration number) of charity address absolutely, my (name and description of item).
Setting up a life interest trust (reversionary legacy)
My trustees shall hold [...] on trust for [...] during his lifetime and, following his death, hold the capital and income for charity name (charity registration number) of charity address and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of HelpAge International shall be a complete discharge to my trustees.
Please remember to use our full name HelpAge International, registered charity number and the correct registered address.
For HelpAge International's headquarters this is:
HelpAge International, registered charity 288180, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA
If you would like these details for any of our other offices please contact us at info@helpage.org
Finding a legal professional
In the UK, The Law Society has a solicitor finding service or call them on 020 7242 1222.
If you are outside the UK, please contact us on info@helpage.org
