Leave a gift in your will
You can ensure Demelza is there for children and families for years to come.
What is a gift in will?
A gift in will, also known as a legacy, is a donation to a charity through your will. It can take the form of money, assets, a specific item, or a percentage of your estate. It’s a chance to make a lasting difference to the charities you care about, even after your lifetime.
Every year, it's estimated that almost 40,000 people choose to leave a gift to charity in their will, contributing nearly £4 billion annually to the UK charity sector. This type of giving is on the rise, with research showing a 40% increase over the past decade.
Whilst some people will occasionally leave their entire estate to a charity, it is more common for people to have several beneficiaries named, including family and charities.
Write your free will today
We’ve teamed up with a free will-writing service, Farewill which takes around 15 minutes to complete online. There is no obligation to leave a gift, but we hope you choose to. Just use the code “DEMELZA2” at checkout here.
If you have already included Demelza in your will or plan to do so, we would love to hear from you - contact Legacy Assistant Sarah Springett at sarah.springett@demelza.org.uk or on 01622 232055.
Create a lasting difference
No matter the size, a gift in your will can make a lasting difference, and is one of the most meaningful ways you can help Demelza provide extraordinary care for extraordinary children and their families.
As the demand for our services continues to rise, a gift left in your will means we can be there for more children and their families when we’re needed most, today, tomorrow and for years to come.
We realise that the decision to leave a gift in your will is a big choice to make, but every gift, whether large or small, makes a huge difference.
“I decided to leave a gift to Demelza in my will because I am simply amazed at the wide range of support they provide to ensure children and families live as full a life as possible in difficult circumstances. I know my gift will be well spent and enjoyed by those who need it.”
Will writing FAQs
I’ve already made a will – can I add in a gift to Demelza?
Yes – depending on the extent of the changes you wish to make, you may be able to use a codicil – a simple form setting out your wishes, which needs to be signed and witnessed. We recommend you ask your solicitor when making amendments to your will to ensure you are not invalidating what you already have. This process can also be used if your circumstances change or you change your mind about leaving a gift to Demelza.
Is it worth leaving a small gift?
Absolutely – all gifts, no matter how large or small ensure Demelza can continue to provide extraordinary care to extraordinary children in your local community.
I’d like to ensure my family are provided for first – how can I do this?
While some individuals choose to leave their entire estate to a charity, it’s far more common to name multiple beneficiaries in a will—often including family, friends, and charitable organisations.
· It’s easy to support a charity in your will while providing for your loved ones first. You can name your family as main beneficiaries and leave a gift to charity from what’s left—whether that’s a set amount, a specific item, or a percentage of your estate. A solicitor can help make sure your wishes are clearly set out, or if using Farewill, the tool will guide you.
What is inheritance tax and does leaving a gift to a charity affect this?
Inheritance tax is the tax due on your estate when you die. Gifts to charities are tax free, taken out before tax is calculated and if you leave more than 10% of your estate to charity, it can reduce the amount of tax you pay overall. We advise you to seek legal advice on inheritance tax and how this will affect your estate but the government website has a useful overview.
What do I need to include to leave a gift to Demelza in my will and do I need to let you know?
You need to include our full name, address and registered charity number: Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Rook Lane, Bobbing, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8DZ, charity number 1039651. You don’t have to let us know, but it is really helpful if you do so we can plan accordingly. It also gives us the opportunity to update you on our work and the difference you are making to families of children with serious or life-limiting conditions in your community.
Can I decide what my gift is spent on?
Unrestricted gifts are always our preference as it means it can be used when and where it’s needed most, we appreciate that you may have a special preference as to where your gift is spent. We can restrict gifts to an area (Kent, South East London or East Sussex) or a certain service or element of our work. Please contact us if you would like to discuss restricting a gift in your will.
Who can help me to write a will?
We’ve teamed up with a free will-writing service, Farewill which takes around 15 minutes to complete online. There is no obligation to leave a gift, but we hope you choose to. Just use the code “DEMELZA2” at checkout.
If you have already included Demelza in your Will or plan to do so, we would love to hear from you - contact Legacy Assistant Sarah Springett at sarah.springett@demelza.org.uk or on 01622 232055.
What kind of gift can I leave Demelza?
We always recommend consulting a solicitor when writing your will as there are many ways to leave a gift to Demelza. However, broadly there are three main types of gifts people leave:
-
Residual – where you leave a percentage of your estate to charity. This is inflation-proof making it most valuable.
-
Pecuniary – a lump sum – Where you choose a fixed amount of money to leave. As costs increase over time, this can somewhat lose its original value.
-
Specific gift – this is usually an item within your estate, such as property, a car or jewellery.
How will my gift impact Demelza?
Around 12% of Demelza annual income comes from gifts in wills – it provides long-term sustainable income to the charity enabling us to continue to deliver extraordinary care to extraordinary children in your community.
“Leaving a gift in your will is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can support Demelza and any gift will help us continue to provide extraordinary care to extraordinary children in the future. A gift of any size will positively impact the lives of children and young people with serious or life-limiting conditions throughout Kent, South East London and East Sussex.
"Our specialist nursing and care teams provide expert support with complex symptoms and medication regimes and are here every day and every night, all year round.” - Dave Winch, Deputy Director of Nursing
What happens if I don’t have a will?
When someone dies without a valid will, their estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. A person who dies without a will is known as an intestate person. Under these rules, only married or civil partners and certain close relatives are entitled to inherit.
If a will exists but is not legally valid, the estate will still be divided according to intestacy laws, not according to the wishes expressed in the invalid will. To ensure your estate is shared according to your wishes, it’s important to make a legally valid will.
Still have questions? We’re here to help. Contact our fundraising team on 0300 365 3653 or email fundraising@demelza.org.uk
Information for executors
Being an executor means you are responsible for carrying out someone’s wishes as set out in their will. This includes managing their estate, settling debts and taxes and distributing assets to the beneficiaries.
Key responsibilities
As an executor, you may need to:
Secure property and assets as soon as possible.
Collect money and assets due to the estate.
Apply for probate (if required).
Pay outstanding debts and taxes.
Arrange the funeral.
Distribute the estate in line with the will.
Reasonable costs, such as funeral expenses and probate fees, can usually be paid from the estate. You may also wish to seek support from a solicitor.
Notifying Demelza
If a gift has been left to Demelza, we would be grateful if you could let us know as early as possible. This helps us support you, ensure accurate records and thank the family appropriately.
Our details:
Demelza Hospice Care for Children
Rook Lane, Bobbing, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8DZ
Charity number: 1039651
Making a gift to Demelza
To help us process a gift smoothly, we may ask for:
A copy of the relevant will clause (for cash gifts).
A copy of the will and estate accounts (for residuary gifts).
If multiple charities are named, we may work together to streamline communication and reduce administration.
Transferring funds or assets
Please contact us so we can ensure everything is handled correctly: at sarah.springett@demelza.org.uk or call 01622 232055.
We can also advise on how to transfer funds or arrange the handover of any specific items gifted to Demelza.