Legacies
- This year nearly £43 million was raised for the BHF by people leaving gifts in
their will. - To find out how to leave a legacy speak to your solicitor or call Sheila McGuinness on
020 7487 7194.
Legacies
People who leave legacies, a gift in their Will, are at the heart of British Heart Foundation’s fundraising, contributing over 40% of our total income in 2005/06. Over the years these generous donations have made it possible for us to undertake and sustain vital long-tem research into the causes and treatment of heart disease, saving thousands of lives. Last year more people than ever notified us that they had left a legacy that will help us to save more lives in the future.
Action
Each day 650 people die of heart and circulatory disease. The BHF spends £95 every minute on research to combat the UK's biggest killer. So legacies are crucial to our work. In addition to our usual fundraising activities, we launched a campaign in 2005 to ask solicitors to display our special Legacy issue of Heart Health magazine in their offices and to encourage their clients to help us.
Many people who have benefited from the BHF’s pioneering work and have also been generous benefactors responded to our 2005 awareness campaign with heart-warming testimonials:
“Following rheumatic fever as a child, my heart was damaged and I have had two valves replaced and recently undergone angioplasty. I owe my life to the work of the BHF. Thank you.”
“In memory of my father who died of heart problems when I was six. Today, all the medical advances may well have saved him. On-going research is vital and that is why I have left your charity a legacy.”
“I decided years ago to leave my whole life savings to the British Heart Foundation. I had my heart set on this as from 16 years of age I have had serious heart trouble. I had a pacemaker inserted 10 years ago and now at 77 years I hope that I can help others.”
Impact
The generosity of our legacy supporters in 2005/06 has been remarkable – we received almost £43 million from them. Nearly 600 people left us a legacy and more than 650 told us that they intended to leave a legacy in their Will.
Next steps
With such a magnificent level of support, the BHF can continue to fund vital research that will keep hearts beating, but we still need your help, and a legacy in your Will is one of the best ways to ensure we can carry on the fight against heart disease.
In 2006/07 we aim to send out 1,200 legacy information booklets and receive 600 pledges.
If you would like information on how to include the BHF in your Will, please ask your solicitor or contact Sheila McGuinness on 020 7487 7194 for our free information booklet.