Leaving a legacy

Many people like to remember a charity in their will, often as a way of expressing their care and concern for those less fortunate than themselves. Legacies form a vital part of Barnabas Aid's income and every gift is greatly valued.

Providing for your family will usually be your first priority, though this is not always the case because sometimes a person's family is sufficiently independent and does not need additional income from a legacy.

We pray that, as Christians plan how to distribute their estate, they will feel encouraged to remember their wider family in Christ who are suffering pressure, discrimination or persecution because of their faith.

Legal wording

If you decide to leave a legacy to Barnabas Aid, your solicitor may wish to adopt the following legal wording:

For a residuary bequest (a gift of all or part of the remainder of your estate after all debts and liabilities have been paid, and all pecuniary and specific gifts have been distributed):

“I give my residuary estate to Barnabas Aid (Registered Charity Number 1092935) at the Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised officer will be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s).”

For a pecuniary bequest (a gift of a fixed sum of money given in your will):

“I give to Barnabas Aid (Registered Charity Number 1092935) at the Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB the sum of £____ (free of all taxes) for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised officer will be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s).”

You can also give a reversionary bequest (this enables you to specify what you would like to happen to a gift after the death of the original beneficiary). For a reversionary bequest, you should seek the advice of your solicitor as a more complex form of wording is required.

Specifying the use of your legacy

If you decide to leave a legacy to Barnabas Aid it is possible to specify how your gift is to be used, but if you give flexibility for your gift to be used for general purposes, this assists greatly in funds being allocated where and when they are most needed. For example, it is quite likely that the specific project you have named will have been completed by the time the gift comes into effect. And if you have restricted how it is to be applied, Barnabas Aid will not be allowed to claim it and use if for something else, which is probably what you would like to happen in these circumstances.

Let us know

If you decide to leave a legacy to Barnabas Aid, it would be a great help if you could let us know. It helps us to plan much more effectively for the future. We would also like to have the opportunity to thank you properly for your kindness and keep in touch with you about how our work is progressing.

Further information

Barnabas Aid has published a short booklet entitled ‘A Christian Guide to making and changing your will'. To order a free copy please visit the Barnabas shop or contact us on 024 7623 1923.