Leave a lasting legacy of hope
By including Edward’s Trust in your will, you can leave a lasting legacy of hope and ensure that bereaved families continue to receive the support they need for generations to come. A legacy gift provides enduring support, helping us sustain and expand our free services, including counselling, well-being therapies, and bereavement support groups.
The demand for our services is growing, making legacy gifts more important than ever. Your planned donation helps secure the future of Edward’s Trust, ensuring that no bereaved child, parent, or family faces their grief alone. Your generosity not only supports individuals and families but also strengthens the wider community, providing a vital safety net for those navigating devastating loss.
We understand that providing for your loved ones is your priority when writing or updating your will. However, many people also choose to leave a meaningful contribution to causes close to their hearts. A gift in your will, no matter how small, will help Edward’s Trust continue its mission of offering compassionate bereavement support across the West Midlands.
Every 22 minutes, a parent of a child dies in the UK, and more than five infants die for every 1,000 live births in the West Midlands. Your legacy can help us ensure that every bereaved family has access to the care, counselling, and resources they need to navigate their grief and find hope for the future.
Need more information on legacy giving?
Want to discuss legacy giving with us?
Call us on 0121 454 1705 or email fundraising@edwardstrust.org.uk
Support Edward’s Trust with a donation today
Support bereaved families by donating today. Whether it’s through joining the Edward’s Trust Lottery, making a one-off donation, or becoming a member of the Kite Club for regular givers, your contribution will make a lasting impact.
Ways to leave a legacy
Claim your free Will today
We’ve partnered with expert will writers, Octopus Legacy, to make giving a gift in your will to Edward’s Trust even easier.
- Easy step-by-step process
- Legal experts check over each Will
- On-hand support
If you prefer to speak with a solicitor or will writer, or live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can give their friendly wills team a call:
Book to write your will over the phone: when you call 020 4525 3605.
Book a face-to-face meeting including home visits or in-branch when you call 020 4525 3605.
Why write a Will?
Writing a will ensures that your wishes are honoured and that your loved ones and chosen charities receive the support you intend. Without a will, your estate will be divided according to intestacy law, which may not align with your wishes. We encourage you to seek professional advice to ensure your will reflects your intentions.
Government guidance is available on writing your Will.
What information do you need to prepare?
- Compile a list of your assets and debts including any equity in your house, savings, and any significant items you own (such as a car). Debts include any loans, outstanding mortgages and any overdrawn balances in your bank account.
- Decide who your beneficiaries are. These are people who will inherit money or items from your estate after your death. You can name specific people and it can be anyone including family members, friends, colleagues and, of course, charities like Edward’s Trust.
- Decide who your executors will be. Executors are the people legally responsible for carrying out your wishes, as laid out in your Will. They may have to apply for a court order called a Grant of Probate if your estate is of a particular size or if you have a large asset, like a house, to sell. It is common to appoint two executors but you can choose up to 4. Your solicitor will be able to advise you of all the duties and responsibilities of your executors, so you can feel confident that you are choosing the right people.
- Decide on how much you want to leave to each of your beneficiaries and the value or percentage of any gift you wish to leave to Edward’s Trust or other charities. You can decide to leave a specific amount or a percentage/share of your estate after the deduction of any legal costs, taxes or debts.
- Consider your non-financial wishes. Your Will is a place to include appointing legal guardians for any children under 18 years of age and is also the place your Executors will look to for guidance on your funeral wishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What details do I need to give a gift to Edward’s Trust?
It is important that you include our full name and registered charity number.
Full name: Edward’s Trust
Charity Number: 1105370
I don’t have much money – is it worth including Edward’s Trust in my Will?
Any gift from Wills will be gratefully received – they all make a difference and help Edward’s Trust support bereaved families in the West Midlands.
Does leaving a gift in my Will affect Inheritance Tax?
Gifts to charity are exempt from Inheritance Tax. This gift is deducted from your estate before tax is calculated. Inheritance Tax on the rest of your estate is reduced if you leave 10% or more to charity (correct at February 2025 – please do check this is still accurate with your professional adviser before relying on this).
I have an existing Will – if I added Edward’s Trust, would I have to re-write my Will?
You can either write a new Will including your gift to Edward’s Trust or you may be able to add a ‘codicil’ to your Will which updates your wishes and allows you to update your beneficiaries and their legacies. Please contact your solicitor to find out what is best for you.
How will you use my gift?
How much do I have to pay for a Will?
Most simple Wills start at around £100.
We have partnered with Octopus Legacy to make will-writing simple and accessible.
Can I request my gift be used for a specific project or service?
