Leave a gift in your Will

Leaving a gift in a Will is a painless way of donating and Brainwave is grateful for any gift that you can give us to help us deliver our Therapy Programmes. Having considered your commitments to family and friends, a charitable Will is an inspiring way to leave a lasting legacy.

View or download our Will Writing Guide here

Free Will Writing

McClure Solicitors write Wills for Brainwave families, volunteers and supporters free of charge at any time with the only request being that in lieu of a fee you make a donation to Brainwave. McClure Solicitors have 14 offices nationwide, including Exeter, Liverpool, London, Plymouth and Southport and may be able to visit you at home if you cannot get to one of their offices. They also offer Free Will Reviews and 50% off Lasting Power of Attorney. To contact McClure Solicitors directly for more details or to make an appointment, call Freephone 0800 852 1999, email [email protected] or visit their website here.

If you would like to speak to someone at Brainwave to discuss your options, please contact Jeremy Duxbury on 01278 429089 or email [email protected]

Brainwave supporters can write a simple Will at no cost either at a local solicitors office or at home over the phone. 

For our face to face service, we work with the National Free Wills Network – a group of charities and solicitors working together to give charity supporters the chance to update or write a simple Will for free. 

There’s no obligation to remember Brainwave in your Will but we do hope you’ll consider the incredible difference a gift could make to children with disabilities on the Brainwave Programme.

1. What is the benefit of leaving a gift to a charity?

A. Gifts to charities through a will are exempt from inheritance tax so it may help reduce the amount of tax payable if your estate is over the exempt threshold. Up-to-date information on tax rates and thresholds can be found here.

2. Why leave a gift in your Will to Brainwave?

A. Brainwave delivers significant tangible results; 85% of children leave the Therapy Programme more independent and facing a brighter future. Your gift will help Brainwave help these citizens of tomorrow play a bigger role in society.

3. How do I leave a gift?

A. When writing a new Will, you should start by making a list of your assets ie everything you own and then a list of your liabilities ie anything you owe. The latter might be any outstanding loans such as a mortgage. Then after deciding what you wish to give to families and friends, you might consider:

  • Leaving to Brainwave what remains (or a share of what remains) of your money and assets after all bills and gifts to family and friends have been settled. This is known as a residuary legacy.
  • Leaving a fixed sum of money to Brainwave.
  • Leaving an item or items such as jewellery, a stamp collection or even the contents of your house, particularly if you live in Somerset, Devon, Dorset or Wiltshire as we can use such items in our shops in the South West.

4. I have a Will and do not wish to rewrite it. Can I still leave a gift?

A. You cannot change or add anything to your current Will by crossing anything out or adding to it. Such changes are not legally binding. However, you can leave a gift using a ‘Codicil’. This is a legal document adding to, or changing, an existing will. Some points to note with a Codicil:

  • It needs to be signed and witnessed like your current Will.
  • It should be kept with the Will but not attached to it.

5. I don’t have much to leave. Is it worth it?

A. Absolutely, even a few pounds can help us continue our work to enable children to reach their full potential. Little gifts are much valued as lots of little gifts from lots of people makes a big difference.

Wording in your Will

If you are kind enough to help us by leaving a gift, please use the following words:

I give to the Brainwave Centre [registered Charity 1073238 (England & Wales) & SCO39137 (Scotland)] of Marsh Lane, Huntworth Gate, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 6LQ)

And then either A or B:

A. _____% of estate, after payment of my debts, pecuniary legacies, funeral and administrative expenses and any taxes, to be used by Brainwave at their discretion and I direct that the Chief Executive shall be a good discharge for my executors.

B. the sum of £_______________ free of all inheritance tax to be used by Brainwave at their discretion and I direct that the Chief Executive shall be a good discharge for my executors.

7. Can I arrange donations in memory of someone?

A. Brainwave values ‘In Memoriam’ donations. It is a positive way of remembering a close friend or loved one. There are a number of ways you may do this:

If you would like to speak to someone about leaving a gift in your Will, ‘In Memoriam’ donations and tributes, please contact us on 01278 429 089 or email: [email protected]