A Will to Beat Meningitis
Today's promise for a future free from meningitis and septicaemia
Making a will is one of the most important decisions you can make - and it's not as expensive or as complicated as you may think.
Remembering the Foundation in your will can help us continue our life saving work. Whether you are making a will for the first time or reviewing your current one, we have a leaflet to help guide you through the process.
You can download your copy of our legacy leaflet here.
Leave a lasting legacy
Don't let your inheritance go to waste
A supporter of the Foundation died suddenly. He had no partner and had not made a will. The probate office contacted his neighbour to see if the man had any relatives. He had not. However, he did have three great passions: his church, the school where he taught and he had been a long standing member of the Foundation.
His modest house sold for £190,000. There was no tax liability so the monarchy inherited the lot. If only his church, school and the Foundation could have shared the proceeds. It would have been a much better tribute to his life and to the people he had served so well for so long.
The importance of making a will and keeping it up to date is clear otherwise the monarchy or the government get the lot. And gifts to charities are free of inheritance tax - so the Chancellor doesn't get that either.
Most people who make a first will or update an existing one find it useful to consult a solicitor. To ensure that your Will has no errors like those mentioned we strongly recommend that you see a solicitor. It is really worth the time. Your solicitor will be familiar with the terminology and make sure your Will is worded correctly so that no-one - family, friends or a charity you wish to remember - loses out
Leave a lasting legacy
In 2005 the Foundation received a legacy of £145,000 that enabled vital research into meningitis and septicaemia. At the time of writing we have just received a legacy of £500 that could pay for life-saving awareness literature in schools and hospitals.
You can use wording like this to explain the gift you wish to leave:
I give to Meningitis Research Foundation (Trustees) A charity registered in England and Wales no 1091105, in Scotland no SC037586, & in Ireland CHY 12030
[Either] the sum of £_________free from all taxes and duties payable on my death
[Or] all [or the share you wish to give, e.g. one third] of the residue of my estate and I direct that the
receipt of any Director or the Secretary of that company shall be a full and sufficient discharge of such a gift.
It sounds very legalistic, but lawyers are particular about words. If you are unsure about the different types of legacy check out our jargon buster
If you do plan to leave a donation to the Foundation please let us know - by telephone on 01454 280418, by email at dougj@meningitis.org, or write to The Legacy Officer, Menigitis Research Foundation, Midland Way, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BS.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us - we would be delighted to hear from you.
England and Wales
Tel 01454 281811
Scotland
Tel 0131 228 3322
Northern Ireland
Tel 028 9032 1283
Republic of Ireland
Tel 01 819 6931
email info@meningitis.org
Page last updated 24.04.08