Kidney disease is a lifelong condition. A gift in your will helps to ensure we’re here to make sure no-one has to face this alone.
We know that the impact of kidney disease can be shocking and overwhelming. We also know that it does not go away, it is a diagnosis for life. But it doesn’t have to be a life sentence. We’re here to provide hope and care to patients through supplying information and advice, as well as the practical and financial assistance that kidney patients and their families might need.
Including a gift to Kidney Care UK in your Will is easier than you may think, and it’s a gift that costs nothing now but will have a lasting impact on the lives of kidney patients in the future.
It is something that is very simple to do and I want my estate to benefit causes that are worthy or important to me.
Who gives gifts in Wills?
Kidney Care UK supporter Susan from Stirling explains, “I've carried an organ donation card for many years and when it came to making my first will, I decided to support Kidney Care UK as one of my benefitting charities. Whether because of something I read or heard about the desperate need for kidney donations and the difficulties of having to be on long term dialysis, I believed it to be a very worthwhile cause. With your association being the leading kidney patient support charity in the UK, and for all the different types of support you offer I have continued to keep your charity in my will despite having had to update it a few times over the years.
"It is something that is very simple to do and I want my estate to benefit causes that are worthy or important to me.”
Leaving a gift to Kidney Care UK in your Will: your questions answered
Whether you’re writing your first Will or updating an existing Will, leaving a gift to charity is reassuringly simple.
An up-to-date Will ensures your wishes will be clearly understood and acted on.
Our promise to you:
- Your loved ones come first. We respect this and will never try to change it.
- We’ll answer your questions honestly and quickly.
- We recognise that this decision is yours and yours alone and will never put you under pressure.
- We’ll use your gift efficiently and effectively.
- We respect your right to privacy; you do not have to tell us your decision.
Writing your Will
It’s a good idea to consider the following:
- What you will leave. Make a rough list of the main things you own and how much you estimate they are worth. Include things like property, shares, endowments, life insurance policies and savings.
- Who you would like to include. After you have looked after your loved ones, we hope you will consider leaving a gift to Kidney Care UK.
- What kinds of gifts you would like to leave to the people and charities you care about. You can choose to leave specific gifts such as items or defined amounts of money, and/or split the value of your estate into portions.
- Who your executor(s) will be. These are the people who will administer your Will when you are gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be wealthy to leave a gift in my Will?
No. Anyone can leave a gift in their Will, no matter the size of their estate. Whatever the size of your gift, you can be sure we will use it to support those affected by kidney disease.
Including a gift to Kidney Care UK in your Will costs nothing now and has no effect on how much money you have to provide for old age. If you arrange your gift as a residuary gift, it will only be paid after all the other gifts left to your loved ones have been made.
What types of gift can I leave?
- Pecuniary gifts are specific sums of money. If you would like a gift of money to retain its value over the years, it is a sensible idea to ask your solicitor to index-link it.
- Residuary gifts are made from whatever is left over once gifts of money and specific items have been distributed. You can gift the whole of the residue to a person or a charity, or a split it between several beneficiaries.
- Specific gifts are things, such as a book, a house or a watch.
What wording should I use to leave a gift to Kidney Care UK?
- Your solicitor will be able to explain this in more detail, but it is a good idea to include both our trading name (Kidney Care UK) and our legal name (British Kidney Patient Association) and our Registered Charity numbers and our address. We have provided a sample sentence including all of this below.
‘…. to the Kidney Care UK (formally the British Kidney Patient Association, a charity registered in England and Wales (270288) and Scotland (SC048198)) of 3-4 The Windmills, St Mary’s Close, Alton, GU34 1EF.
How will you spend my money?
We promise to use your gift efficiently and effectively, with 85p of every £1 used to directly support kidney patients and their families.
Around half of our services each year are paid for by gifts in Wills, helping to fund our counselling service, our hardship grants and our local patient support advocates.
Find out more about Kidney Care UK's impact.
What will my family think?
Your Will is a reflection of what matters to you, your values and your beliefs. Your loved ones come first and we would never seek to change that.
Leaving a gift to charity in your Will doesn’t stop you recognising the importance of your loved ones, in fact many families are proud of the values that prompted a charitable gift in the first place.
Should I tell you if I'm planning on leaving you a gift?
We respect your right to privacy, so of course you don’t have to tell us what you decide. But if you would like to tell us, that would be fabulous. We would love to say thank you, and keep you informed and inspired by our work.
What if I change my mind?
This decision is yours and yours alone. We understand that circumstances change and we respect your right to privacy.
What is an executor?
These are the people who will administer your Will when you are gone. They will let the beneficiaries know about their gifts and settle any outstanding expenses.
You can select a family member, a friend, or you can use a professional such as a lawyer or Financial Advisor. You can also nominate someone who is benefitting from your Will.
You should choose a person or combination of people you trust, and who would be capable and willing to take on this responsibility.
How do I change or add to an existing Will?
It is usually possible to make a change or addition to an existing Will using a codicil form. You should seek legal advice before doing this to ensure that your wishes do not inadvertently conflict with the instructions contained in your existing Will.
Alternatively, if you would like to make a Will online or rewrite your Will, we have a step-by-step process you can follow here with FareWill online and use voucher code: kidneycare-free
For Executors and Solicitors administrating a Will
If you are an executor or solicitor administrating a Will that includes a gift to Kidney Care UK please let us know by
- Email to [email protected]
- Calling 01420 541424
- Writing to Kidney Care UK, 3-4 The Windmills, St. Mary’s Close, Alton, GU34 1EF.