A social media campaign is building support

A consortium of almost 200 charities is calling on dictionaries to recognise the new term willanthropy - the act of giving to charity in a will.

Through the willanthropy campaign, Remember A Charity is celebrating the generosity of a growing community of willanthropists, some of which include- a gift from Terence to Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of his partner and sister, both of whom died from the disease;  local reporter Laurie’s gift to the Courtyard Centre for the Arts; and Christian Aid volunteer Cath helping ensure school talks by the charity continue long after she is gone by leaving a gift in her Will to further the charity’s work.   

Lucinda Frostick, director of Remember A Charity, said: “With this campaign, our focus is on opening up conversation about legacy giving and inspiring people to share their own stories. We’re highlighting gifts in wills of all sizes and are seeking to dispel the misconception that you need to be wealthy to leave a legacy.

“Leaving even a small gift in a Will can help make a huge impact for charities and we hope to get people talking and acting to make a difference.”   

Charities and the public are being encouraged to celebrate and share their own stories of Willanthropy using #Willanthropy on social media.