The importance of

FREE GIFTS IN WILLS GUIDE

Over the years, gifts in wills have helped charities in many areas, such as helping vulnerable people, protecting domestic animals and wildlife, funding of medical research and much more.

It is very often an important income stream for many charities, especially now more than ever.

Here are examples from two charities of how leaving a legacy when making a will can make a difference

Help give animals a second chance

Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. Over more than 160 years, we’ve gone from one home in London to three rescuing and rehoming centres across the country and have cared for over three million animals. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best. That’s why we help every dog or cat in need, caring for them until we find them the homes where they truly belong.

One in three of these animals is cared for thanks to gifts in Wills from kind animal-lovers, so every single gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference. Gifts in Wills can help animals like tiny kitten Cricket, who came to Battersea in a terrible state. He had been abandoned in a cat carrier with a note saying,‘Help me, please.’ The little kitten was extremely malnourished, and his two front legs were badly bowed.

Our veterinary team worked tirelessly to give him the best possible chance of survival. Thanks to this expert care, Cricket grew stronger every day. He gained weight, his fur grew back, and he learnt to trust people again. Before too long, he found a loving family of his own, and is fully enjoying life in his new home.

Gifts in Wills give hope to countless dogs and cats like Cricket, ensuring they get the second chance of happiness they deserve – now and for many years to come. To request a free Gifts in Wills information pack, please contact the Special Gifts team on specialgifts@battersea.org.uk or 020 7627 9300, or visit battersea.org.uk/wills

United, we can stop animal testing in UK labs

Britain is one of the world’s most prolific animal testers with more than 3.4 million animal experiments carried out in labs up and down the land every year.

Yet this outdated method is failing both humans and animals - because over 90% of new drugs tested on animals fail to benefit human health.

“We often read media stories about medical breakthroughs in treatments and cures for killer diseases, from Alzheimer’s to cancers to diabetes,” says Animal Free Research UK’s CEO, Carla Owen.

“But rarely do we read follow-up reports detailing how most of these headline drugs fail to reach the market because successful tests on animals fail to translate into tangible benefit to humans,” she adds.

This unethical and ineffective research method is, albeit slowly, being replaced by pioneering lab technology which reduces the drug development failure rate.

Methods such as cell culture and 3D organ on a chip which simulates the activities, mechanics and physiological response of entire human organs systems – compile more accurate data faster and cheaper than using animals.

“That’s why Animal Free Research UK is on a mission to cure human diseases without animal suffering – but we need your help to accelerate the replacement of animals in labs,” adds the charity’s Owen.

Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in May, Animal Free Research UK has over the decades given £10m in grants to over 260 medical research projects at leading universities and hospitals across the UK, advancing technological development of human relevant research for diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and more recently Covid-19.

By funding technological breakthroughs, financing the training of a new generation of researchers and building government backing, the charity believes with more public support medicines can be developed without using any animals by 2040.

Added Owen: “As much as we want animal experiments to end today, we’re realistic and understand change takes time. With the public’s backing, we are calling on the government to make the increased investment required to accelerate human relevant life sciences and cure diseases.

“This will save the lives of humans and animals as well as boosting the UK economy.” Visit animalfreeresearchuk.org to find out how you can help - and to learn more about our free will writing service.

Last year we helped over 80,000 wild birds and animals like Rudolph

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In August 2020, Margaret provided 84 hours of medical care to a dying horse, saving its life.

Margaret in the 1950s

Please help me get better

Not only do we treat more hedgehogs than any other wildlife hospital, but our caring teams save lives every day. Our aim is simple, to treat injured British wildlife, then return them to the wild. Like Rudolph, who arrived badly injured at just five days old. Our specialist care saved this little deer and he is now facing a brighter future. But it is only with your support we can help casualties like Rudolph; please remember Tiggywinkles in your Will.

Our late friend Dame Thora Hird actively encouraged others to help us secure funding for our lifesaving work. In her words "All the little wild creatures and I thank you so very much".

For more information please contact:

Jenny Babb, Tiggywinkles, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF 01844 292 292

mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk www.tiggywinkles.com

Registered Charity No. 286447

Come and have a look around our Visitor Centre. Opening times can be found on our website www.tiggywinkles.com.

is the busiest wildlife hospital in the world.

Would you like to bring a smile to a friend's face during lockdown?

We will send a complimentary issue of Retirement Today to brighten their day. Just email address quoting FREE. email info@amramedia.co.uk

Create Your Legacy

Margaret passed away in March, 2020 and kindly remembered Bransby Horses in her Will. Gifts in Wills help us to rescue and care for hundreds of equines every single year.

01427 788 464 BransbyHorses.co.uk/legacy

Please note we do not retain addresses.