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Leave a legacy gift in your Will

By leaving a legacy gift in your Will to Meningitis Research Foundation, you’ll be helping achieve a world free from meningitis. 

Meningitis has taken and changed too many lives. Although we’re making progress, there’s still much more to do. A gift in your Will is a meaningful way to honour a loved one or yourself. The legacy you leave will save lives and be vital in achieving the global mission to defeat meningitis.

  • Together we can drive breakthrough research – funding cutting-edge studies to improve meningitis prevention, detection and treatment.
  • Together we can support patients and families – ensuring those affected by meningitis receive the support and information they need in their darkest moments.
  • Together we can build a resilient future – empowering communities with the tools and knowledge to fight meningitis for generations to come.

A gift in your Will could help us to support many more people and raise awareness of meningitis to save lives through our Ambassador programme:

“Everyone has their untold story. Remember that you’re never alone, there is always someone waiting to listen, to help or to advise. Together, we can beat this.”

–Martin Yaxley, meningitis survivor and Ambassador

Read Martin's story

How to leave a gift in your Will

Leaving us a gift in your Will is a simple yet powerful gesture in support of a world free from meningitis.

It’s very easy to leave Meningitis Research Foundation a gift in your Will. You can leave either:

  • A percentage of your estate (a residuary legacy), or
  • A specific amount of money (a pecuniary legacy). 

Information you will need

To ensure your chosen gift reaches us, you’ll need to give your solicitor or Will writer the following information:

  • Charity name: Meningitis Research Foundation

  • Charity address: Room 703, The Programme Building 7th Floor, The Pithay, Bristol BS1 2NB

  • Charity number: 1091105 (England and Wales), SC037586 (Scotland) and 20034368 (Ireland)

Need help?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss leaving a gift, we’re here for you. Email Ian Beningfield, Head of Partnerships and Funding, at ianb@meningitis.org or call 0333 405 6237.
 
Please let us know if you decide to leave a gift – we’d love to thank you personally and share how your legacy will make a lasting difference.

Frequently asked questions

A.
A legacy gift is a donation specified in your Will, ensuring that a set amount or percentage of your estate is allocated to a charity when you die.
A.
It’s a straightforward process to include a gift in your Will. You can simply instruct a solicitor (by letter or email) to add an amendment to your existing Will, called a codicil. 
A.
A codicil is a legal document that amends or supplements your existing Will. It lets you update details, like beneficiary information or instructions, without rewriting the entire Will. Like your Will, a codicil must be signed, witnessed, and kept with your original document. To ensure that your Will remains legal, we’d advise you to do this with a solicitor or Will writer.
A.
We’d always advise using a solicitor to make sure your Will is valid, your intentions are clearly recorded and it’s legally binding.
A.
Gifts in Wills are often tax-free and can reduce the Inheritance Tax burden on your estate. Tax laws vary, so it’s wise to speak to your solicitor or a tax specialist.

How Inheritance Tax works (GOV.UK)
 
A.
There are two main types of legacies you can include in your Will:

  • A residuary (percentage) gift means you leave a portion of your estate to one or more charities. This ensures that, no matter the total value of your estate, both your loved ones and your chosen charity are taken care of.
  • A pecuniary (cash) gift is a fixed sum of money. 
A.
A properly worded Will should automatically take account of any changing circumstances. It ensures you can look after yourself and your loved ones while still leaving a gift to your chosen charity with any remaining funds.
A.
No. Whether you choose to leave a small or large gift it will make a meaningful difference. Meningitis Research Foundation will ensure your legacy gift is put to good use in defeating meningitis wherever it exists for generations to come.
You can make the last chapter of your life a great one that saves lives from meningitis long into the future. If you want to talk to us about leaving a gift in your Will to Meningitis Research Foundation, please get in touch for a chat. Thank you for considering this meaningful way to make a difference.

Together we will defeat meningitis.
 
Ian Beningfield
Head of Fundraising

If you'd like to know more about leaving a gift to Meningitis Research Foundation in your Will, please do get in touch.

Tel: 0333 405 6237
Email Me