Living with dementia magazine June 2012

Leaving a gift in your Will ensures that Alzheimer's Society can continue its work for decades to come. Luke Bishop looks at the importance of legacies for the Society's future.

Gifts left in Wills make up one fifth of Alzheimer's Society's total income, and so are crucial in providing support for people affected by dementia and in finding a cure. The Legacy Marketing team organises events to help spread the word about how vital such gifts are in funding our regional and national work.

A new round of these events starts next month, and the team will be going up and down the country talking to supporters about leaving a legacy. People at the events are informed about the Society's work in their local area, as well as our campaigns and research projects.

Clear impact

David Richardson is an Alzheimer's Society trustee and speaks at legacy events. His mother had dementia and he talks about his experiences and why he is leaving a gift in his Will.

David says,

'I have myself become a legator since speaking at these events, and I am proof of their efficacy. It had always been my intention to leave a legacy but it was the fact of standing up and asking others to do so that spurred me on to do it myself.

'The events get a very positive reaction and the people who attend appreciate the opportunity to hear firsthand what the Society is doing in terms of delivering local services, dementia research and the broader Society-wide picture.

'I have had interesting conversations with people over lunch and I think the feedback that I get is that the events are appreciated and have a clear impact on the number of people making legacy pledges.'

No pressure

David says that any amount left in a Will makes a difference and improves the life of people affected by dementia.

'We always stress that legacy support of any amount or percentage of an estate is welcome. We stress that clearly family and friends come first in a Will and it is not in any sense a "hard sell"  - no one is pressured to give but instead it is an opportunity to put the case forward clearly, positively, strongly and successfully.'

The events take place at a range of venues which have recently included the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, Cadbury World near Birmingham and the stately home of Burghley House in Lincolnshire. Services such as Singing for the Brain are also showcased and talks are given by people with dementia and carers.

Ashley Rowthorn, Legacy Marketing Manager, adds,

'These events really do provide us with the best opportunity to talk to people face to face about legacies and their importance. They allow us to talk about what Alzheimer's Society does and where we are looking to go in the future.'

This summer's legacy events are open to anyone who is interested in attending. To find out more you can visit alzheimers.org.uk/legacies, email legacies@alzheimers.org.uk or call the team on 0870 011 0290.

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