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Leaving a gift in your will

leaving a gift in
your will

Let your legacy live on through making children's lives better

Making a gift in your will to Alder Hey will make a huge difference to our sick patients. We understand that first and foremost you want to look after your family and friends, but if you have anything to spare after that we would be really appreciative to receive it.

Your money will go a long way. It will enable us to provide support to the children we treat, and their families, it will fund our pioneering research and development projects and also pay for new state of the art equipment and facilities. It will help children like 5 year old Cameron Matheison, who has already had to have three major heart operations due to the heart condition he was born with.

All gifts that you leave to Alder Hey Children’s Charity will be exempt from inheritance tax. We would recommend that you use a solicitor when drafting up your will as this will ensure your wishes are adhered to and highly reduce the risk of any disputes over your estate. All you have to do is inform your solicitor you would like to leave a gift to Alder Hey Children’s Charity and provide our address and registered charity number:

Alder Hey Children’s Charity, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP (Reg. charity No 1049275).

If you are thinking of leaving a gift in your will for Alder Hey, or already have, we would love to hear from you so we can thank you. We like to thank all our donors to let them know just how much we appreciate their help. We will also be able to answer any further questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I make a will?

It is important you make a will to ensure your wishes are adhered to after you are gone. It will guarantee all your family and friends are looked after and there are no disputes over your legacy.

You may not think there is any point in making a will if you do not consider yourself to be wealthy however people are often surprised how much their estate is worth once everything from your house and furniture to your jewellery and pension has been added up.

How do I make a will?

We would highly recommend you enlist a solicitor to help you make your will. Professional advice is not as expensive as you may think and will ensure that your will is accurate.

How do I leave a gift to Alder Hey in my will?

There are three main ways you can leave money to Alder Hey Children's Charity:

  • You can leave a residuary gift which is the remainder after all other fits and debts have been paid. This ensures that your family and loved ones are catered for first and what is left over can then be donated to Charity.
  • You can leave a cash lump sum (a pecuniary gift). You might like to ask your solicitor to index-link any cash gift to ensure its relative value stays the same over the years.
  • You can leave a specific piece of property – jewellery or furniture for example.

How much should I give?

It is entirely up to you how much you give us. There are three ways you can leave a gift to us:

  1. You can leave a residuary gift which is the remainder of your estate left over after all other gifts have been paid out.
  2. You can leave a pecuniary gift which is a cash lump sum.
  3. You can leave a belonging for example an item of jewellery or a piece of furniture.

I already have a will. Can I still add Alder Hey Children's Charity to it?

Yes, you are still able to add us to your will. Simply contact your solicitors and let them know you wish to make a change to your will and they will be able to help you from there.

I have included Alder Hey Children's Charity in my will. Do I have to inform you?

It is entirely up to you whether you choose to inform us or not. We would love to know if you have so we can thank you for your generosity and the information would be treated in the strictest of confidence. However, we completely understand your will is private and if you do not wish to inform us about it that is fine.

How will my family feel about it?

We completely understand that first and foremost, you will want to take care of your family. This is why we do not ask for a specific amount from you, we only ask for what you can afford to give to us once your family have been taken care of.

What will my money be used for?

Your money will be used to fund crucial research and development, to purchase essential equipment and enable us to offer necessary patient and family support. To find out more about the work we do, please visit our ‘About Us’ page.

Will you still need the money in the future?

We do not know what the future holds, however we do know that we are always going to need funding to ensure our young patients are well looked after and have the best chance of making a full recovery.

Can I say where I would like my money to go?

Yes. If you would like your money to go to a certain department in the hospital that can be arranged. All you have to do is state clearly in your will which department you wish your money to go to.

What if my circumstances change and I need to change my will?

You are free to change your will whenever you like for whatever reason. We are grateful for every donation we receive; whether big or small it will make a difference to a child's life.

Is the law on wills the same throughout the UK?

No. The law is the same in England and Wales but different in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Your solicitor will be able to explain this in further detail to you.