Gift in your will

Leaving a gift in your will is a special way to help people affected by crime in the future.

This is often referred to as ‘leaving a legacy’. It’s a common myth that you have to be wealthy to leave a gift in your will to help a charity; in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. After taking care of family and friends, you’ll be amazed at what one final gift, no matter how big or small, can do. Taking care of both your loved ones and your favourite charities is easier than you think.

A gift to Victim Support in your will helps us to continue supporting victims and witnesses of crime in the future. Last year we offered support to 814,000 people affected by crime, and our caseworkers and volunteers give emotional and practical help to anyone who needs it, regardless of the crime they have suffered.

We wouldn’t be able to offer those services and support without the generous gifts and donations we receive from members of the public. Any gift that you give is hugely appreciated, and will make a real and vital difference to people’s lives.

Why do I need a will?

It’s important to write a will to make sure that the people you care about will be provided for when the time comes. If you don’t have a will, your estate (everything you own) will be distributed according to current legislation, and if you have no surviving relatives, the government is entitled to everything.

How can I make a will?

If you want to leave a legacy to Victim Support, there’s no specific wording you need to use – you just need to include our charity registration number: 298028.

We do recommend that you contact a solicitor or will writer for impartial guidance.

Victim Support has joined with other major charities to support the Remember a Charity campaign, to encourage more people to leave a gift to charity in their will. Remember a Charity has teamed up with The Co-operative Legal Services, who can give you free advice and support. For information on this, call 0844 252 9965 and quote RACWILLS01 or visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk to find your nearest solicitor or will writer.

When the time is right, please take a moment to do something amazing and leave a lasting legacy by including Victim Support in your will. If you plan to leave a gift to us in your will please do let us know, as we would like to say thank you.

For more information about leaving a gift in your will to Victim Support, please contact our fundraising team by email on email fundraising@victimsupport.org.uk.