When it came to having discussions with my family about leaving gifts in my Will, we all knew what CHAS means to me. It was a very easy decision for me to leave a gift in my Will to CHAS.
Legacy - Give in your Will
Leave a gift in your Will to CHAS
For over 30 years, CHAS has supported families facing the heartbreaking reality that their child may die young.
It’s our ambition to ensure that no-one faces this reality alone.
If you choose, you can make it your personal legacy to ensure we are there for every family in the future who needs our support.
Cole's Story
Your legacy can support families like Cole's
With a gift in your Will to CHAS, you can ensure that families spend precious time together.
Devasting news
Cole and his twin sister were born a little early but were considered healthy. But within weeks, Cole appeared to be having seizures, and his Mum Cassy just knew something was wrong.
Cole remained in hospital for the next four and a half months.
After many tests, Cole’s family received the devastating news that he has a life-limiting form of epilepsy, and would be unlikely to reach his first birthday.
"After the full discharge from the hospital, CHAS was with us every step of the way. We were told Cole would not survive the first night at home, but eight months later we had celebrated Easter, the twins six month half birthday, a week long holiday in England, the twin’s first birthday and a real family Christmas. Cole just seemed to want to spend more time at home with his family."
We felt "normal"
"When we visited Rachel House, we felt like a ‘normal’ family. Cole sat with us as we ate, we had a picnic at the loch, and even went out for a meal. Small things you long to do but were never able to before."
CHAS support extended past his death, and offers services to bereaved families like ours. I will always hold dear the CHAS staff for the constant support they gave our family through the scariest but most precious eight months of all our lives.
How can I leave a gift?
How can I leave a gift to CHAS?
If you want to make CHAS part of your own legacy, here’s the information you need to add CHAS to your Will.
Full Charity Name: Children’s Hospices Across Scotland
Charity Number: SC019724
Address: Canal Court, 42 Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh, EH14 1LT
As a CHAS supporter, you can use our Free Will Scheme to find a law society registered solicitor near you, to write your Will for free.
I am assured to know that the contribution I will make will be put to very good use helping families through the most difficult time of their lives.
Giving a gift in my Will to CHAS makes me feel like I’m going to be making a difference in the future.
Legacy FAQs
Hopefully we can answer your questions below but if not, please get in touch.
Do I really need to make a Will?
Every adult should have a Will. A Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out when you are no longer around. Without a Will, your estate will be divided up in line with the rules of intestacy. This means you have no control over who receives what from your estate.
It’s also cheaper and less stressful for those left behind. Knowing your wishes means family can proceed with confidence, handling your estate exactly as you wish. If you want to start planning your Will, visit How to Write your Will.
I'm not wealthy - can I still make a difference?
Yes! While is costs millions every year to run our service, some of the moments we help families create don’t cost much at all.
Like the time one of our volunteer gardeners helped two siblings’ bond over a flower crown. Or making hand and footprints of a child, to keep forever. These things don’t cost much but mean the world to families.
Every gift, regardless of size, adds up. Gifts in Wills fund the care of 1 out of every 6 families we support, making a huge difference to so many lives. Please donate whatever you are able and know that making CHAS families part of your legacy is always special.
What types of gifts can I leave in my Will?
There are three main ways you can leave a gift in your Will.
Specific Items – This is where you leave specific items to beneficiaries, such as your record collection, classic car, or something sentimental you know they would love.
Pecuniary Gift – This is a set amount, such as £1,000. It doesn't change with inflation, or any changes in the overall value of your estate.
Residual Gift – This is a percentage of your estate when all pecuniary gifts, specific items, and any debts on the estate are paid. You can leave both pecuniary and residual gifts to the same individuals and causes, or to different ones. The value of these is hard to predict, as it depends on the value of your estate, but are useful as they don't commit to a set amount.
Don’t worry about having all the answers – it's just helpful to have a think about these things before meeting with your solicitor.
When should I write or update my Will?
In short, every adult should have a Will, but there are specific moments in a lifetime when you should consider it of high importance to write or update your Will. Find out how to write your Will.
Can you help me to write or amend my Will?
We have Legacy Partners, who we can strongly recommend to write your Will. They're all Law Society registered, experienced Will Writers, who will provide advice and guidance specific to your circumstances. They're all committed to helping you support the people and causes you love through your Will, and fully respect your right to choose your beneficiaries without any pressure.
Whilst it's possible to draft your own Will, we strongly advise you to seek legal advice. Even a small mistake can invalidate your Will, or lead to your estate being divided against your true intention.
What are the tax advantages of leaving money to charity?
Everyone’s personal circumstances are different, and we cannot give legal or financial advice. It’s best to speak with a Law Society registered solicitor to ensure your Will considers any tax advantages relevant to you.
What we can tell you, is that leaving a gift in your Will can be a tax efficient way of giving to a charity or supporting your local community. Gifts left to charities are exempt of inheritance tax, and can reduce your overall tax bill. Your solicitor will be able to give you more detailed advice of the tax implications of leaving a gift in your Will. Find our Legacy Partners here, who'll be able to advise you.
Can CHAS act as an Executor for my estate?
It's not best practice to make a charity the executor of your Will, nor is it an area of our particular expertise. Speak to your solicitor for advice on who would make the best executor for your estate. It should be someone you trust, and someone capable of the responsibility.
What if I want to change my Will in the future?
It’s okay to change your mind about your Will. Your wishes may change throughout your life. We recommend reviewing your Will every five years, or after a major life event such as having children, getting married, or a significant change in your financial circumstances. You can either write a new Will or, if the changes are small, you can make them with a codicil, which can support your original Will. We recommend using our Free Will Scheme to update your Will free of charge.
If I want to include a gift to CHAS in my Will, what information do I need to include?
Firstly, thank you so much for giving the gift of precious time to children and families, with a gift in your Will to CHAS.
Here are the details you will need to include CHAS in your Will:
- Full Charity Name: Children’s Hospices Across Scotland
- Charity Number: SC019724
- Address: Canal Court, 42 Craiglockhart Avenue, Edinburgh, EH14 1LT
Who can I contact about leaving a gift in my Will to CHAS?
If you have questions about leaving a gift in your Will to CHAS, speak to Rachel and Charlene in our Legacy Team. We cannot offer legal advice, but we’ll happily chat to you about anything related to how your gift could support future families though CHAS.
Rachel Gedge, Legacy Manager – rachelgedge@chas.org.uk
Charlene Mullan, Legacy Coordinator – charlenemullan@chas.org.uk
Thank you for thinking of CHAS
Thank you for considering this special gift to children and families.
We cannot change the fact that the children we support will have short lives. But we can make sure that their lives are filled with as much joy, laughter, and sparkle as possible. Just as childhood should be. With your help, we can make this possible for all families who face this in their future.
Thank you for considering CHAS families alongside your own in your Will.
