The Charity Pages issue 13

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Charitable thoughts...

Even as the country begins to emerge from the isolation of lockdown and re-engage with loved ones, and charities restart public fundraising activity, COVID-19 continues to cast a shadow in all kinds of ways. Who, for example, would guess that the pandemic would figure in a debate about Inheritance Tax? A survey by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) made just that connection. It found that STEP members viewed replacement of IHT by a simpler system as a preferred way of funding COVID support.

• New ways of legacy fundraising post-COVID will also underpin the 2021 Legacy Strategy Summit – the second to be held virtually. The aim is to offer everything an in-person conference can provide and there are added features this year. There is a glittering line-up of speakers on all areas of legacy administration.

• All areas of charitable activity are finding new ways of working after the lockdown, but COVID precautions are still a major concern when fundraising in public – whether it is a major participation event or simply a cash collection. The Fundraising Regulator and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising have jointly issued

a series of guidance documents charities must follow as they re-engage with the public.

• The pandemic’s influence even stretched to The Queen’s Speech, forcing its postponement from last November to 11 May. The speech contained some measures of note for charities – notably the expected Charities Bill, which puts into law many of the reforms first muted some seven years ago and formulated by the Law Commissioners in 2017.

It should make the lives of trustees a little less stressful and permit charities to get on with their fundraising to best effect.

• One of the stand-out elements of the response to the pandemic was the mass mobilisation of volunteers to combat the disease – from manning testing and vaccination centres to shopping for people shielding, to acting as guinea pigs for vaccines. They added to the vast army of charitable volunteers who have been working day-in, day-out for countless years.

The first week in June is Volunteers’ Week, giving charities and all of us a chance to say ‘Thank You!’ • The winners of the inaugural Legacy Futures Awards have been announced. Our heartiest congratulations to all the winners.

In this issue...

CONTENTS 25

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Legacy Futures Awards: the winners have been announced!

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Law Society updates on probate delays

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Reform IHT to pay for the cost of COVID-19, say inheritance planning professionals

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Legacy Summit resumes in digital form

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Campaign stresses the benefits of will registration

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Charities Bill will tidy up unnecessary bureaucracy

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Report helps charities keep their finger on the pulse

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Coronavirus guidance updated as lockdown eases

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Queen’s Speech measure will see Dormant Assets Scheme expanded

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Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say ‘Thank You!’

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Safe in a ‘foster home’ with friends: one of many animal success stories The photograph on the right of border collie Nipper was taken on the same day that he’d been taken to a vet’s to be put to sleep.

Purchased as a ‘surprise’ gift, he was unwanted. The beautiful puppy was just eight weeks old and is just one of over 9,000 animals rescued

by Friends of the Animals.

There was a happy ending as – now renamed Stanley – he was rehomed with one of the charity’s voluntary drivers, who adores him.

Friends of the Animals began in March 1990 and had very humble beginnings. Veterinary treatment is invariably the charity’s biggest outgoing and to date they have spayed or neutered 41,300 animals.

Thousands more have been wormed and inoculated – often for the first time in their lives!

Founder Helen Sinclair MBE, who was honoured for Services to Animal Welfare in 2014, takes up the story: “There have been many memorable cases, where we’ve saved animals’ lives against all the odds. Animals such as the puppy who slipped under the railings of a balcony – luckily bouncing off the conservatory roof which broke her fall. Then there was the dog who fell down a manhole in the road after someone had removed the cover, and poor Marshall, who had three broken legs and a severed ear.

“Susie, a Labrador/Staffy cross (pictured above left), was badly burnt in a house fire, but made a good recovery; and the dear little cat on the right had everything wrong with him, but survived and thrived.”

Pictured below is the hook that 11-month-old Spaniel/Dachshund cross Darcy swallowed

while walking on the beach.

The fisherman who carelessly discarded it could have had absolutely no idea of the immense suffering – or money – his actions that day cost. An X-ray revealed the hook was dangerously lodged in her oesophagus and the first vet she went to couldn’t remove it, so Darcy was referred to a specialist vet. Their first attempt – at a cost of £4,000 – failed to reach it, but the second attempt was successful and happily she made a complete recovery.

Gifts in wills fund more than one in three veterinary treatments and so legacies are an absolute lifeline to the rescue and spaying/neutering work carried out

by Friends of the Animals.

Helen continued: “Friends of the Animals has a policy of non-destruction, unless an animal is sick or injured with no hope of recovery, and we keep admin costs to a minimum.

Very importantly, around 98% of our staff are volunteers, which ensures as much of your gift as possible is spent on saving animals.”

Pitted against that constant battle to save animals was the action of the person who set fire to the front of the charity’s building on the Isle of Wight.

“But, happily,” said Helen, “we're a resilient team and together with the help of supporters, we barely skipped a beat and just kept on going.

“We truly appreciate that people have many choices regarding charities to support, but no one appreciates it more, or tries harder than we do, to get the very best possible use from every penny donated. Thank you for your consideration.”

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Sending out an SOS for the owls [

ESTABLISHED IN 2001, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary – known, appropriately, as S.O.S. – operates a comprehensive facility for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of owls across East Anglia.

It also promotes the need for the conservation of endangered owl species throughout the UK and beyond with its Saving Britain's Owls initiative.

The S.O.S. owl and raptor hospital at Stonham Aspal is unique in the region. It is specially equipped for the care and treatment of the many injured wild owls and other birds of prey that are brought there every year. The reasons for their being there include road traffic accidents, mishap, starvation, trauma, disease, poisoning and sometimes even shooting or trapping.

Many of the birds can be given a recuperative, short-term pick-me-up before being re-released into the wild. Those that are more seriously injured but stand a chance of recovery are given medical aid and/or surgery, as determined by their vet. The birds are then allowed space and time to fully recuperate in one of the secluded recovery aviaries, before being carefully returned to the wild.

S.O.S. also operates a wild owl nest box scheme, in conjunction with volunteers from the Thornham Owl Project. That includes building and locating long-lasting, environmentally-friendly nest boxes in appropriate locations, to replace the gradual erosion of natural nesting sites. It also involves the careful monitoring of nesting activity within the scheme, for the annual reporting of raptor population information to regulatory authorities.

S.O.S. is funded purely by donation, and like many small charities faces an on-going, uphill struggle as they strive to survive. q

Charity carries on the work of its founder [

FOR OVER 30 YEARS the famous animal hospital known as Tiggywinkles has been working to rescue, treat and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned British wildlife. Over that time they have proved beyond doubt that most wild animal and bird casualties can be saved and returned to the wild.

Although they specialise in hedgehogs – indeed, they derive their name from St Tiggywinkles, the name of their specialist hedgehog ward, inspired by the animal character created by Beatrix Potter – their wealth of expertise in the care of a wide range of species can now be passed on to others.

In addition, their commitment to practical education plays a vital part in the conservation of wildlife. As an accredited centre, opportunities are available for students aged 16 and over to gain a City and Guildsapproved qualification via their Apprenticeship in Animal Care scheme.

Tiggywinkles was founded by Les Stocker, who sadly passed away in July 2016. In a tribute, Les was described as ‘…a steadfast ambassador, achieving his goal to turn wildlife rehabilitation into a profession’. In another he was referred to as the ‘the spiritual heart of Britain’. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen and given the title Laureate in the 1990 International Rolex Awards for Enterprise, for his work in wildlife conservation and establishing Europe’s first wildlife teaching hospital. More recently, he gained the prestigious Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The charity is happy to commemorate all who generously remember the Wildlife Hospital Trust in their will by inscribing their name on a plaque in its Remembrance Garden. Gifts are also welcome in the form of a donation or by becoming a Friend of Tiggywinkles. q

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Legacy Futures Awards: the winners have been announced!

[THE WINNERS have been announced

of the inaugural Legacy Futures Awards.

The awards were launched in February this year by Legacy Futures – the newly-formed grouping of legacy support consultancies – to support people working in the gifts-inwills and in-memory sectors through the presentation of three awards: The Legacy Future Leader Award and The Legacy Futures Innovation Award and The Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards.

The award-winners were revealed by Ashley Rowthorne from Legacy Futures at the Spring Conference of the Institute of Legacy Management.

The Legacy Future Leader Award highlights a future legacy leader aged under 35 and gives the winner the opportunity to engage with experts from Legacy Futures

over a period of six months through oneto-one mentoring. The winner was Emma Bowles from ellenor.

The judges said: “Emma demonstrated passion for legacies and sharing it with colleagues, care staff and supporters of ellenor hospice. Since she joined the team there has been a 20% growth in in-memory income.”

Emma also wins tickets to attend the 2021 ILM conference and the 2021 CIoF Legacy Fundraising conference.

The Legacy Futures Innovation Award is open to any organisation that demonstrates its commitment to innovation in gift-in-wills and in-memory fundraising. The award comprises the provision of advisory support from Legacy Futures to the value of £5,000.

The winner was Bransby Horses for its

Law Society updates on probate delays [THE LAW SOCIETY has reported on a meeting it had, as part of the probate service

professional user group, with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in April. The meeting formed part of a series of discussions on the on-going issue of delays in granting of probate, including timelines, stopped applications and upcoming changes.

The society reported that HMCTS “…now publishes monthly management information (MI) on workload and timeliness for the part of the probate service that delivers grants of probate.”

Included in the MI for February 2021 was information on how many digital and paper submissions were received, how many had been stopped and the number of weeks to complete an application.

The average time for a digital case to be issued is less than a week if there’s nothing wrong and there are no stops, or eight weeks if the case is stopped. In the case of paper applications the timing is four weeks with no stops or 16 weeks if it is stopped.

According to the Law Society report: “As HMCTS receives more work digitally, it can focus on proactively chasing cases that have been stopped for a considerable amount of time.

HMCTS is contacting people where probate is still outstanding due to certain documents not being sent. This is not intended to be a long-term practice and HMCTS will close cases in which no response is received.”

HMCTS is also aiming for online applications from trust corporations to be possible by early June. q

Create Your Legacy campaign.

The judges commented: “The simple yet impactful way in which Bransby Horses reframed how to talk about legacies demonstrated creativity, innovation and applied research to legacy marketing practice.”

The Crispin Ellison Bursary Awards are named in memory of former Legacy Link director Crispin Ellison, whose career was dedicated to advancing professional knowledge in the legacy sector.

The winner of the main award – a bursary worth £1,000 to cover the cost of the successful applicant attaining the Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration (CiCLA) qualification – was awarded to Carolyn Jones of the University of Liverpool.

“Carolyn’s application demonstrated a real commitment to developing her knowledge in legacy administration,” said the judges.

“We were particularly impressed by her passion to grow legacy giving within higher education and her plans to share her newly-acquired knowledge among her peers at other institutions. As a recipient of the award, Carolyn will be invaluable in championing and educating legacy colleagues across this growing area of legacy income.”

The two bursaries of £250 each covering the cost of a two-day online training course from the Institute of Legacy Management were Michael Tivey of the London Symphony Orchestra and Sara Sullivan of Wessex Cancer Trust.

Ashley Rowthorne said: “We created the Legacy Futures Awards to support the sector and to use our expertise to help charities and organisations in their legacy journey.

“We want to thank every person and organisation that took the time to enter and share their great work with us and, of course, our panel of judges for their commitment to the awards. Huge congratulations to all the winners. We’re excited to see what comes next in their gifts-in-wills and in-memory fundraising.” q

Doing more for seafarers – and doing it even better!

[AT THE SEAFARERS’ CHARITY we’ve been improving the lives of

seafarers and their families for over 100 years. Through our grant giving, we’re bringing about truly life-changing impact for many who work – or who have worked – at sea as a merchant seafarer or in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, fishing fleet or professional yacht and cruise sector.

We receive no government funding and rely on donations, fundraising and gifts in wills to be able to provide long-term aid. Please consider leaving us a gift in your will today to help us continue our work. q • To support The Seafarers’ Charity or to find out more about our work, visit www.theseafarerscharity.org or email contact@theseafarerscharity.org

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Research is key to a better life after brain injury

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THE MISSION of Brain Research UK is to fund essential research to discover the causes, develop new treatments and improve the lives of those affected by neurological conditions.

The charity’s current research focus is on areas where there is a realistic chance of making a difference to neurological patients within the short to medium term. This is where the need for charitable funding is most urgent.

As a result they have three current research priorities – brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain.

Brain Research UK receives no government funding and so relies exclusively on voluntary donations. For further information please visit www.brainresearchuk.org.uk. q

A small charity with a huge heart [

KIDNEY KIDS SCOTLAND, a very small charity with a huge heart, has for the last 20 years supported Scottish children with renal and urology conditions. The main aim of the charity has always been to enable these children to receive treatment as close to home as possible and minimise disruption to the family unit.

In addition the charity helps hospitals all over Scotland, supplying them with much needed equipment and funding posts recognised as being essential. Chronic Kidney disease is a condition that has no cure and that children and their families must learn to live with.

IMAGINE your child only being able to drink 400mls in one day. That’s less than two cartons of juice – a can of juice is 500mls.

IMAGINE being a parent where you must be home before 8pm every single night to ensure your child gets their daily home dialysis.

IMAGINE not being able to take your family abroad or too far away from the hospital because your child cannot go without their dialysis. This HAS to happen in hospital 3 or 4 times EVERY week.

IMAGINE your child missing out on school education, social activities, family members’ birthday celebrations, a sibling’s sports day or a family wedding because you need to make sure they receive their life saving dialysis treatment.

IMAGINE your child spending their birthday and/or Christmas Day in hospital and not being able to see their friends from week to week. q IMAGINE LIVING WITH KIDNEY DISEASE For more information about Kidney Kids Scotland please visit our website at www.kidneykids.org.uk, call 01324 555843 or email office@kidneykids.org.uk Kidney Kids Scotland can help in many ways

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Reform IHT to pay for the cost of COVID-19, say inheritance planning professionals [

THE Chancellor of the Exchequer should scrap inheritance tax and replace it with a radical new alternative to raise more revenue and help pay for the cost of COVID-19 support measures.

That is the conclusion of a survey of 500 professionals who advise families on inheritance planning, published on 17 March. Those surveyed included solicitors, tax advisors, financial planners and accountants.

Over half (57%) of the professionals who took part in the survey by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) support proposals

by MPs for the current IHT regime to be replaced with a simpler flat rate, with far fewer reliefs and exemptions. That would greatly simplify the system, reduce avoidance and increase fairness for families.

The respondents represent clients from all levels of the wealth scale, including middle-income families whose home is their main asset and therefore are affected particularly adversely by IHT. Overhauling IHT is more popular as a revenue raiser than either a one-off wealth tax or an annual wealth tax, with 36.2% of respondents favouring the IHT route while the other options are preferred by 29.04% and 12.88% respectively.

A report last year from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Inheritance and Intergenerational Fairness called for the introduction of a ‘flat-rate gift tax’ to sweep aside the current IHT system’s Byzantine array of reliefs and exemptions. The proposals would tax all lifetime and death transfers of wealth, with very few reliefs and a low flat rate

of 10%, as opposed to the current rate of 40%. Rates would reach a maximum of 20% on estates of over £2m.

The STEP survey found that 65% of inheritance advisors agree with the APPG recommendation of a 10% flat rate as the best way to simplify the IHT system and discourage avoidance by wealthier families. Just under half agreed that £2m is an appropriate threshold for estates to pay the higher rate, while 28% think it should be higher and 7.6% think it should be lower.

Emily Deane, technical counsel at STEP, commented: “The current IHT system is complex, ineffective and unfair. A new system, like the one recommended by the APPG, is the preferred route the Chancellor should take to raise funds to pay for the cost of COVID-19 support and sort out an unjust tax.

“A broadly-based, low-rate tax with few reliefs and exemptions is far preferable than a tax with a high headline rate that the well-advised can avoid by use of complex reliefs and exemptions. The flat rate proposed by the APPG would apply across the board and lead to less avoidance, while keeping the UK attractive for wealthier individuals.”

John Stevenson MP, chair of the APPG for Inheritance and Intergenerational Fairness, said: “Our report in 2020 concluded that fundamental reform of IHT is badly needed. Reform would simplify the system, reduce red tape, be fairer and is likely to provide extra tax revenue. We call on the Chancellor to look at fundamental reform of this unpopular tax.” q

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Concern for working horses’ welfare leads to charity’s campaigning role [

THE HORSE RESCUE FUND was founded at a time when many deliveries were still being carried out using horses – which at that time were destined for a bleak fate after they finished their working life.

That history explains why, as well as rescuing horses, ponies and donkeys in desperate need, the fund has campaigned for improvements at horse sales, in transit and for equine welfare generally. Indeed, they often work in conjunction with their fellow organisations on some of the largest equine welfare cases.

The charity’s byline is: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome.

A spokesperson for the charity commented: “All of our rescued horses are treated as individuals and – being one of the smaller welfare charities – our staff get to know the likes, dislikes and foibles of each horse in our care, so their treatment can be personally tailored to their needs.”

After rehabilitation and when they are fit, their animals are placed on loan in private adoptive homes to lead happy, useful lives. Some have gone on to win at prestigious shows, and even appeared on television!

They continued: “We never sell them, so we are able to ensure their wellbeing for the rest of their lives; and if their loaners’ circumstances change, they can always be returned to us. Horses do so much for humans – we try to repay some of that debt; they cannot speak, but we can.”

Funds are urgently needed to continue that work: legacies, covenants, individual donations or corporate funding are all most welcome. Members receive a biannual newsletter keeping them up to date with all the happenings on the yard at Woodstock Farm in Norfolk.

For more information visit the website at www.horserescuefund.org.uk or email info@horserescuefund.org.uk. q

Helping the forgotten people of Zimbabwe [

ZANE: ZIMBABWE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY is a UK registered charity working to help the most destitute, vulnerable and impoverished people in Zimbabwe. It is the largest supplier of financial aid to elderly people in Zimbabwe who lost their life savings and pensions in the economic collapse and subsequent hyper-inflation.

This includes over 600 frail veterans and their widows who fought for the Crown. ZANE assists with rent, medical bills and food – and, crucially, also provides comfort, advice and support.

In addition, ZANE funds a clubfoot correction programme, successfully treating over 4,060 children to date. It funds the provision of prosthetic limbs for victims of landmine explosions and assists people with hearing loss. ZANE also funds education programmes including the provision of pop-up classrooms in highdensity townships for children who would otherwise not receive an education. It runs creative therapy workshops for women living in extreme poverty who are victims of political violence and trauma.

Zimbabwe remains in a state of crisis. The economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Fuel shortages are commonplace and with food prices escalating, ZANE’s aid is needed more than ever by the most destitute people in Zimbabwe. q • To find out more about the work of ZANE visit www.zane.uk.com

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Legacy Summit resumes in digital form [ THE annual Legacy Strategy Summit

(#LSS21) will take place as a digital event on 17 June. The aim of the summit is to provide professionals in the legacy industry with insight into the latest trends in legacy giving and to explore the new landscape of legacy fundraising in the post-COVID era.

Those attending the virtual event will have access to everything they would expect at a live conference, with realtime presentations and peer interactions, panel discussions and audience polls – all accessible from a remote office.

According to organisers Wilmington: “This year we will be expanding our themes to delve into the bold new era of legacy fundraising in the post-pandemic era. The event will focus on resilience and building back after COVID-19, becoming experts at new technologies and creating positive legacy messages amidst changing attitudes to discussing legacy gifts and death.”

This year’s summit will look at legacy giving from a variety of viewpoints: • The bold new era of legacy fundraising as charities move out of the COVID era – how does the new era change our legacy fundraising strategy? The challenges of technology; appealing to a younger audience while keeping older ones engaged: how do charities adapt? Bolder campaigns, brave new messages, putting the life back into your campaign: hear from big hitters such as RNLI, RSPCA, Save The Children, The Stroke Association and many more on how they have adapted.

• Building back after COVID – resilience, using and becoming expert at new technology formats, benefitting from virtual events across your team, expanding donor pipelines and working with refreshed charity brands. Have legacy teams reviewed their methods and message over the past 12-18 months and emerged from the crisis stronger and leaner, or is there still much to be done? Leaders in the legacy field explain how they have built back after COVID-19 and what they think the year ahead holds for the legacy fundraising and income for their charity.

• Positive legacy messages – use of energetic, powerful images in campaigns; becoming a virtual part of the team, the donor story and the human element; moving away from tired stereotypes and traditional campaign imagery; the new attitude to discussing legacy gifts and death. After 18 months of pandemic and

24/7 news of death and doom, delegates can look at the latest trend in legacy messages with a move towards positivity, energy and even irreverence.

• Digital and virtual legacy fundraising – how technology and better use of data has revolutionised legacy events and donor research. In the past 18 months some charities have quickly progressed from cautious novices to confident experts in virtual legacy events. Delegates can hear from the head of a regional legacy team who has formed a team with her legacy colleagues across other regions to excel in the virtual format, and explore how other charities can follow this route when working across a large geographical area with limited team size and reduced marketing resources.

Places can be booked via the website at legacystrategysummit.com, where the full agenda and speakers list can be viewed. q

Help for those with failing sight

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FAILING EYESIGHT is nothing short of a personal catastrophe.

Do you have a family member, friend or neighbour who is gradually losing their sight?

Reading, recognising friends and living skills are all affected as your sight is going – and it’s much harder if you live alone.

The National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) keeps its members in touch with general information, help and updates on what’s going on.

The charity produces bi-monthly news magazines and circulars in audio, braille or electronically, which members can read independently. It also encourages blind and partially sighted people to play a fuller part in society. q • For further information contact NFBUK on 01924 291313, email admin@nfbuk.org or visit www.nfbuk.org.

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Campaign stresses the benefits of will registration [DURING MAY the National Will Register ran its annual Free Will Registration Month, which promotes the benefits of registering wills to both legal professionals and the general public.

In 2020 the legal profession saw a sharp increase in the number of wills being made. One of the many effects that the outbreak of COVID-19 had was that many members of the public were faced with addressing their mortality and the issue of who they would wish to inherit their estate after they had passed away.

For law firms, registering their clients’ wills on the National Will Register ensures that they can be quickly and easily located by the testator’s named executors and beneficiaries. For over a decade, the organisation has built up a significant national register of wills and will search service that protects law firms, testators, executors and beneficiaries every day.

Those who use the register range from sole practitioners to over 50% of the Legal 500 and the majority of the most respected firms in the country. There are now over 8.9 million registrations on the system and that number continues to rise on a daily basis.

Moreover, it is not unusual for a testator to use different law firms and will writers to update their existing will without notifying the named executors, beneficiaries or the professional who drafted the previous will.

Registering a client’s will not only protects against the incorrect distribution of an estate, and the issues that surround an unknown will coming to light, but also the loss of probate work that can occur because the will and the law firm that wrote and stored it are unknown to the executors and beneficiaries.

The National Will Register is the Law Society of England and Wales’s trusted partner. It is used by the public, the legal profession, law firms, PI insurers, government agencies, charities and other associated sectors and organisations to register and search for wills.

The National Will Register’s Vicky Box commented: “The National Will Register's annual Free Will Registration Month is going really well. We have been inundated from members of the public and law firms who wish to contribute to the campaign. Overall, there has been an 88% increase in will registrations in the past six months in comparison to previous years. It's fantastic to see such a positive response and as a team, we are here to assist everybody who wishes to take advantage of the incentive until 4 June.”

To express their interest and to begin registering their clients’ wills, firms can call 0330 100 3660 or email enquiries@certainty.co.uk.

For members of the public to register their will they should visit www.nationalwillregister.co.uk and click on ‘REGISTER A WILL’.

They do not need a copy of their will to register it and the register does not need to see their will. q

Legacies – the gift of life [

ANIMAL CHARITY Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. They are dedicated to protecting primates and their habitats worldwide – primates are endangered due to climate change, habitat destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades.

For some species, it is too late. The future of all that remains lies in our hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild Futures is the gift of life and a future for primates and our wonderful planet.

Wild Futures’ holistic approach makes them unique – providing sanctuary to rescued

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monkeys, supporting projects overseas, campaigning for primate welfare, educating to protect primates worldwide and promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos.

They receive no government funding, so the generosity of those that remember Wild Futures is essential to enable them to continue their work. A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and a wild and safe future for all. q • For more information call 01503 262532, email giving@wildfutures.org or visit the webiste at www.wildfutures.org.

Charity’s lifestyle recommendations help reduce the risk of cancer

[WORLD CANCER RESEARCH FUND (WCRF) is the UK’s only

charity solely dedicated to cancer prevention. Over the past 30 years WCRF has worked tirelessly to fund scientific research worldwide seeking to understand better the links between our lifestyles and cancer.

The scientific evidence from the research they’ve funded clearly demonstrates a link between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer. From this WCRF has developed its Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Over 40 independent studies have shown that the more closely people follow the package of recommendations, the lower their risk of developing cancer will be.

WCRF’s CEO Rachael Gormley explained: “Every day in the UK around 1,100 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Over 400 of those people could have avoided that life-changing diagnosis if they’d had access to the right information and made simple everyday changes in their diet, weight and physical activity. Given the impact of coronavirus we know cancer cases will increase, and so it’s more

vital than ever that we give people the practical, straightforward advice and information they need to help prevent cancer and survive after a diagnosis.”

WCRF receives no government funding, so its work is only possible as a result of supporters’ fundraising and through gifts in wills.

Head of legacy development Sarah Rebus said: “The gifts people have left us in their wills have contributed a huge amount to the research we’ve been able to fund so far, but there is still so much to do.

I hope more people will want to join us and include a gift to support our future work when they next write or update their wills. Because I believe including a gift to WCRF might be the best way we can help give our loved ones and future generations the power to prevent and survive cancer in the years ahead.”

To read WCRF’s cancer prevention recommendations visit www.wcrf-uk.org/10ways and to find out more about how you can help their life saving work visit www.wcrf-uk.org/legacy. q

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Giving sighthounds a second chance [FOREVER HOUNDS TRUST has been rescuing, caring for and

homing greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds for 25 years.

These beautiful dogs find themselves in the charity’s care for many reasons, but they have one thing in common – they are in desperate need of help to find them a safe and happy home, having been neglected, abused, or finished their career as a racing greyhound.

Forever Hounds Trust are proud to have homed over 10,000 of these marvellous dogs and they rely entirely on supporters, donations, trusts and, vitally, legacies to cover the substantial costs of every dog’s journey from rescue to loving family pet.

The charity’s Susan Kerry Bedell says: “The demand for us to take in dogs continues to grow. By leaving a gift to Forever Hounds Trust in your Will, you are allowing us to rescue, treat and give more dogs a safe future.

“Legacies provide shelter for dogs in our kennels and foster homes. Legacies provide emergency medical care and preventative treatments. Legacies keep our vans on the road to rescue dogs from desperate situations.”

By remembering Forever Hounds Trust in your will, you are helping give more dogs a second chance at a happy life. q • For more information visit the website at www.foreverhoundstrust.org, telephone 03000 125 125 or email legacy@foreverhoundstrust.org

Heartbeat horses on the move

[IN 2019, following the retirement of managing trustee Colin

Cooper, some of the Heartbeat horses moved to a new home at Sink Farm in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Colin was very pleased to announce that the charity’s headquarters had moved to Hollesley where the current horses will live and be cared for alongside the wonderful Suffolk Punch horses.

Sink Farm is the colony stud for the Suffolk Punch Trust charity, who continue their important and essential work in preserving this unique breed. q • For more information on either charity please contact Tracey Pettitt, stud manager or David Clarke, finance director, on 01394 775495.

Heartbeat Homes for Horses, Sink Farm, St David’s Lane, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JR

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Bates, the dog rescued from the awful trade

How Bates was rescued from the dog-meat trade [DOGS AND CATS are being cruelly stolen

and brutally killed for the meat trade. That’s the startling revelation by animal welfare charity FOUR PAWS. According to the charity, each year millions of dogs and cats like the ones pictured will be stolen, killed and eaten in South East Asia. Drowned, electrocuted or beaten to death, the cruelty they will suffer is near unimaginable. Often, they are strays snatched from the streets, or family pets stolen from loving homes.

One such dog – they called him Bates – was desperate to escape his cruel fate at a slaughter farm.

FOUR PAWS found Bates on a rescue mission in Cambodia. He was packed in a cage crammed full with other dogs. The crying and whimpering from those dogs, many of them beloved pets, was truly heart-breaking.

Dogs awaiting slaughter

In desperation, dogs reached out their paw through the cage bars for help. The charity felt it could not turn away.

FOUR PAWS was able to rescue Bates and he has now been adopted into a loving family with the chance of a new beginning. Sad and emotionally shut down at first, it took time for Bates to recover. He is now learning to trust people again and is happy and energetic. His days are spent playing and enjoying long walks.

Stopping the trade for good

FOUR PAWS is working to save more dogs and cats from this torture and end the trade for good. Since the rescue of Bates, many more dogs and cats have been saved and rehomed, slaughter farms have been closed down together with ground-breaking campaigns which aim to strengthen animal protection laws.

Protecting animals in the future

Founded in Vienna in 1988, the FOUR PAWS vision is of a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. Its mission is to act as a strong, global and independent voice for animals under direct human control.

Gifts in wills have a huge impact on the work FOUR PAWS does, enabling them to continue rescuing and caring for animals.

That is why they have partnered with willwriting service Bequeathed, who offer a completely free online will-writing service. It’s something anyone can do from the comfort of their own home without it costing them a penny. q • To make your will without it costing you a penny, please visit bequeathed.org/fourpaws.

Strays are often rounded up and killed for cat meat

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Charities Bill will tidy up unnecessary bureaucracy [THE INCLUSION IN The Queen’s

Speech of the Charities Bill has been widely welcomed across the board by charities and their representative bodies.

The Bill, designed to ‘address a range of issues in charity law which hamper charities’ day-to-day activities’, will implement 36 of the 43 recommendations made by the Law Commission in its 2017 report Technical Issues in Charity Law. The reforms will save charities a large amount of time, as well as save costs. For example, the Law Commission estimated cost savings of £2.8m per year from just one of the changes: the increased flexibility concerning sales of land. They will also benefit from more flexibility in their use of permanent endowments.

The main points of the Bill are: • Changing the law to help charities amend their governing documents more easily, with Charity Commission oversight where appropriate.

• Giving charities more flexibility to obtain tailored advice when they sell land, and removing unnecessary administrative burdens.

• Increasing flexibility for charities to use their permanent endowment (assets or investments where the capital value must be preserved), with checks in place to ensure its protection in the long term.

• Removing legal barriers to charities

merging, when a merger is in their best interests.

• Giving trustees advance assurance that litigation costs in the Charity Tribunal can be paid from the charity’s funds.

In the document explaining the measures in The Queen’s Speech, the Prime Minister’s Office said: “Currently charities can find it burdensome to change governing documents, sell land, make better use of permanent endowment funds, and to merge with other charities. This Bill will make the above easier and will save charities time and money.”

Explaining the Bill in a Charity Commission blog, its director of legal service Aarti Thakor said: “The commission welcomes the proposed changes which should make life simpler for trustees, and help them maximise the benefits that their charity delivers.

“That’s what really matters – letting trustees get on with the important work of running their charity, whilst maintaining strong oversight for the instances when things do go wrong.

“When enacted, the changes would also ease some of the regulatory pressures on trustees and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy. This will enable charities to deliver greater impact for the people and causes they are set up to support. Given the additional pressures placed on trustees during the pandemic, this is especially welcome.

“Whilst our work in helping trustees respond to the pandemic will continue, we’re also preparing to implement these changes and look forward to doing so once they come into effect, subject of course to the approval of Parliament.”

When the DCMS published its response to the Law Commission’s recommendations in March – indicating they would be brought into law – the Institute of Legacy Management said: “Although this process has taken several years, we are very grateful to both our members for their time and patience, and to the Law Commission for putting forward our recommendations.

We believe that these changes will have a very positive impact on charities, saving them a great deal of time, effort and money, and enabling them to focus on helping the worthy causes they represent.”

Law Commissioner Professor Nick Hopkins said: “Our recommendations for reform in our report on technical issues in charity law will remove unnecessary bureaucracy for charities, ensuring they use their time and money in the best way to support their good causes, while still providing necessary oversight to ensure public confidence.

“I am delighted that government has accepted the majority of our recommendations, and that they plan to implement them when they can.” q

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Animals are not humans, so why do we keep using them for medical research?

[FRAME believes in the development of better scientific methods for

the benefit of humans and animals.

Our vision is a world where non-animal research techniques are accepted as scientific best practice, eliminating the need to use laboratory animals in any kind of medical or scientific procedures.

Whilst it is not possible to end all animal testing today without halting some vital medical research, the current scale of animal experimentation is unacceptable and unnecessary.

Modern scientific methods that use human tissue, computer modelling and other new and innovative techniques can provide data that is more directly relevant to human conditions and disease.

However, despite a legal requirement to use methods that do not involve animals where they are available, their development and uptake remains slow.

FRAME funds laboratory and desk-based research to help advance

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innovative, non-animal methods, challenge current animal testing practices, and support the framework of change. We share this information, promoting non-animal methods and the importance of robust science through scientific journals, online resources, education and training for academics, industry, students and future researchers.

We cannot do this alone. Our supporters enable us to research and promote human-based systems that have the potential to speed up the discovery of new medicines and improve understanding of human diseases more effectively than research relying on laboratory animals.

In the UK 3.4 million scientific procedures were carried out on animals in 2019 – just a 9% drop over a decade. We want to change that, and with your help we can. Help us build a better future for humans and animals.

Visit www.frame.org.uk to find out more about our work and how you can help us to make a change. q

Report helps charities keep their finger on the pulse [THE LATEST QUARTERLY research report

from digital fundraising platform Enthuse examines trends in donating among the UK public following the COVID pandemic. The Donor Pulse Report: Spring 2021 looked at how people donate and their attitude to fundraising events as the lockdown eases.

An encouraging result of the research is the finding that donating among the public is stabilising, following a fall during the first lockdown. There has even been a rise in the numbers donating to charities dealing with poverty – from 21% to 27% of donors.

Younger people are more likely to donate, with 18 to 24-year-olds most likely.

That change in giving patterns is mirrored by an improvement in the perception of charities, with 35% of people having a more positive view.

On the issue of participation in fundraising events, the research found a distinct divergence among age groups, with the under-40s far more likely to participate in both physical and virtual fundraising events. The type of event is also important, with 40% of all supporters preferring a ‘fun-type’ event.

Another major shift, and again one that is no surprise, is the move away from cash to online giving – a change that has been steady over the past year. Only 17% of people made a cash donation in February, while 40% have not donated cash since before the pandemic. Over half of people preferred online as their method of donating.

The report’s authors predict that the move away from cash, evident from before the pandemic, is likely to be permanent.

A more surprising finding was an increasing preference for donating to charities’ own websites, rather than via consumer giving platforms. That increase has been matched by an increased likelihood of the donor being able to recall the charity’s name after donating.

The report concludes: “There is a lot to think about with the return of events, and a balance to achieve for charities communicating ‘having fun’ and ’staying safe’, to appeal to ‘play safe’ and ‘fun seeking’ supporters. The longer-term shift to digital giving continues with the public moving away from cash to digital in all formats, and donating more directly to causes. This continues to be a challenging time for charities, but there are the beginnings of solidity which should help, particularly when combined with the loosening of lockdown restrictions. Charities need to continue to be agile and put digital at the heart of their fundraising planning.”

• Donor Pulse Report – Spring 2021 is the third in a series of quarterly research papers looking at the public’s changing attitudes to charities and giving published by Enthuse – the fundraising, donations and events registration platform. It can be downloaded for free from enthuse.com/insights/. q

This sanctuary helps donkeys from Britain, Europe and beyond [ESTABLISHED IN 1990, NEDDI offers care and safety to donkeys –

and to a lesser degree, ponies – in Britain and Europe who have suffered neglect, cruelty or maltreatment or who are at risk of such treatment.

In addition to rescuing such animals from undesirable situations, within the financial and practical constraints prevailing at the time, they work to try to change attitudes and to educate donkey owners into better practices. For example, since 2016 they have been assisting associates in Kenya to achieve those aims for the working animals there.

Since its establishment in Cornwall, NEDDI has operated a sanctuary specifically for distressed donkeys. In 2001 the sanctuary moved to just the other side of the channel, where the resident donkeys enjoy more space and pasture than would otherwise have been possible.

Its policy is to try to offer actual, hands-on help to the animals in need, and to restore them to the maximum possible degree of fitness.

Once brought back to full health, new homes are sometimes sought for the fit animals.

Where full health cannot be achieved a safe home is offered to the donkey for the duration of its life.

NEDDI is a comparatively small organisation with limited resources, and relies heavily on support from animal-lovers. A bequest will enable more donkeys to be freed from pain and misery. q

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Giving hope to the

[ONE IN SIX PEOPLE in the UK has a neurological disorder: that

amounts to 14.7 million mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues – more than those affected by coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. It might be there from birth, be due to a slowly developing illness or the result of a brain injury.

The charity dedicated to raising funds to advance treatments and research at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square – is The National Brain Appeal.

The driving force behind the charity’s work is the aim to improve the outcome and quality of life for everyone affected by a neurological condition. They include brain tumours, stroke, epilepsy, dementias, MS, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s disease: all of which have no cure as yet. They look to achieve that vision by funding state-of-the-art equipment, major building programmes and life-saving research – over and above what the NHS can provide.

Legacies represent up to one quarter of The National Brain Appeal’s annual income.

“They are crucial to the fundraising work we do,” said chief executive Theresa Dauncey. “We’re extremely grateful for every legacy left to us. Leaving just 1% of your estate can make a very real difference and is an investment in the future.

The more money we receive, the more support we can give to the National Hospital, The National Brain Appeal’s chief executive Theresa Dauncey which in turn improves the

prospects for those affected by neurological disorders.”

Penelope was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in 2004 at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and attends a day care clinic run by a team of specialist nurses.

“My own personal journey with MMN makes me want to give back in whatever way I can,” she said. “That is why I have left a gift in my will to The National Brain Appeal. I want to help to fund crucial research into all neurological conditions going forward.”

Meta is a former National Hospital patient. She had successful surgery for a benign brain tumour there in 1988.

Since then both her husband and sister were diagnosed with Penelope attends a day care clinic neurological conditions. run by a team of specialist nurses

one in six

She explained: “My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and sadly passed away just a few months ago. My sister has multiple sclerosis – she’s been living with it for more than 25 years now. These are cruel diseases for which there is no cure and little hope.”

With that in mind Meta has made The National Brain Appeal a major beneficiary in her will.

“The lack of a cure for so many debilitating neurological conditions is a strong motivator Meta has made The National Brain for me to want to help,” she Appeal a major beneficiary in her will continued, “and by leaving a legacy I can be part of something that will provide hope for others.”

You choose

Now more than ever, benefactors to The National Brain Appeal can control where they would like their money to go. There are six specific funding areas for which individuals can make a legacy pledge: • Neurology: funding initiatives to improve diagnosis and treatment, and • provide facilities for those with on-going neurological conditions • Neurodegeneration: supporting projects which help people with • conditions where there is progressive degeneration • Neurosurgery: providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the • UK’s largest neurosurgery unit • Technology and innovation: supporting projects which translate • groundbreaking ideas into better results for patients • Education and staff development: investment to provide the best • opportunities and attract the best people in the field • Queen Square: new facilities and staff-led projects at the National • Hospital and the Institute of Neurology For those who do not specify a funding area, their gift can be put towards an area with the most urgent need. Without the generosity and foresight of those who leave a legacy, the charity simply could not support the number of vital projects that it is currently able to. q • For more information about legacies and the National Brain Appeal, contact info@nationalbrainappeal.org or view the legacy section of the website at nationalbrainappeal.org.

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Trust works to save iconic working horses [

THE SUFFOLK PUNCH TRUST is a registered charity, whose aim is to ensure the survival of the famous horse breed. It was founded in 2002 to save the historic Hollesley Bay Colony Stud.

That stud brought a rich legacy of equine and agricultural history which deserves to be saved for future generations to enjoy. The trust aims to achieve that through a successful breeding programme, supported by funding, education and the outreach facility of its visitor centre.

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest English breed of working horse, dating from the 16th century. Every Suffolk horse can be traced back to a stallion, known as Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, foaled in 1768. The Suffolk horse was developed for farm work and gained popularity during the early 20th century. As agriculture became mechanised, however, the numbers fell and the breed almost disappeared completely.

The aim of the trust is to help save the iconic breed from extinction through its established breeding programme. It is working towards increasing the numbers of horses through normal breeding processes and an artificial insemination programme.

It also works to raise public awareness and is training a new generation of professionals to work with and understand the needs of the breed. The Suffolk Punch is incredibly versatile and is now often employed in forestry and ridden work.

The Suffolk Punch Trust can only continue its work with the help of donations and legacies. As David Clarke, one of the trust’s directors, explained: “Your legacy, large or small, will make a huge difference to the work we carry out, enabling us to care for our horses and continue the breeding programme to secure this wonderful breed.” q

Securing a future for endangered wildlife

[ AS A CONSERVATION CHARITY, the role of Marwell Wildlife

is to give a helping hand to the many species with populations that have become so small that they would otherwise face an uncertain future.

You can see some of the world’s rarest species of all shapes and sizes at their zoo. From Partula snails and scimitar-horned oryx, to Somali wild ass and Amur leopards – all are part of international efforts to prevent extinction.

The charity relies heavily on legacies to support their work.

Leaving a gift in your will to Marwell Wildlife is one of the best ways in which you can help them secure a better future for endangered wildlife and habitats for generations to come. q • Visit www.marwell.org.uk/legacy or call 01962 777988.

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Coronavirus guidance updated as lockdown eases [IN APRIL the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising

published a series of updated guidance documents to support charities as they resume public fundraising activities. The updated guidance provides information in line with the latest government advice. Fundraising organisations are strongly advised to review and follow the updated guidance when planning their public fundraising activities.

On 12 April guidance was published regarding fundraising key principles and public fundraising. Their publication co-incided with the return to public fundraising.

The ‘fundraising key principles’ guidance highlights the issues charities should consider when adapting the way their organisation fundraises as lockdown measures are eased. In particular it provides advice on how to plan future fundraising, how to behave and interact safely and respectfully with the public, how to safeguard the public, staff and volunteers, and undertaking a risk assessment.

The ‘public fundraising’ guidance is meant to be read in conjunction with the overarching COVID-19 guidance and the key principles.

The following week, on 19 April, two further guidance documents were published covering events and community fundraising activities and cash collections. Each sets out a framework to aid good decision-making which should be applied to any charitable community and events fundraising activity.

The new guidance highlights relevant government regulations and identifies additional considerations that fundraising organisations should think about as they plan community fundraising activities – including social distancing requirements, conducting risk assessments, and capacity limits.

Charlotte Urwin, head of policy at the Fundraising Regulator, explained: “Our latest guidance on events and community fundraising and cash collections is an important addition to the existing suite of guidance we have published to support the safe and responsible return of public-facing fundraising activities. This guidance provides a framework that will help fundraisers make decisions about how to return to those activities as restrictions ease across the UK. “Before applying the guidance, fundraisers must check the relevant guidelines in the area where their fundraising is being carried out to account for specific guidance from the devolved nations.”

Daniel Fluskey, head of policy and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, added: “This guidance will help charities and fundraisers navigate the return to physical community and events fundraising activities in a safe and carefully considered way. We have provided key considerations and provided links to relevant guidance to help charities as they put together their plans for weeks and months ahead. We know that some charities and supporters are really keen to return to in-person events and hope that this provides reassurance for organisations as they put in place future plans.”

All the guidance documents can be accessed at the website www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/guidance/coronavirus q

Caring for chelonia [THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters

a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q

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The dream continues to offer sanctuary to abandoned animals [

THE YEAR IS 1983 and it is the coldest winter for 20 years. Many stories about horses and ponies being abandoned by their owners on Rainham Marshes in Essex were hitting the headlines.

Paula Clark, who was involved in raising money for a number of sanctuaries, was sitting at home in tears after reading the story of those poor horses. When her husband Ernie returned home from work, Paula showed him what was happening and they vowed to take action and help the animals that needed them.

Some of the horses were already dead and others were starving when the couple got to the marshes. They weren’t having their basic needs met; they had no water or food. Paula and Ernie took tanks of water to them and bales of hay and feed. They even got a vet to examine some of them. No-one was looking after the horses’ basic needs – let alone enriching their lives.

Paula and Ernie embarked on fulfilling their dream and the story of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary began. They began taking horses with the intention of fostering. They would bring them back to health and then find them nice homes.

The first horse they fostered out was Pye. Soon after they heard that the fosterers were trying to sell him, so Ernie took them to court at a cost of £4,000. Ernie finally got Pye back in a terrible state, so both Paula and Ernie promised they would never rehome again – the animals had a home for life.

As Paula and Ernie found fostering animals didn’t work out they decided to provide homes for life to their animals. One beneficiary is Juliette, a thoroughbred horse who arrived in a terrible condition.

Because of her home for life at Hopefield, and the daily care and attention she receives, she is now physically transformed.

Paula and Ernie have both now sadly passed away. Since their passing the work has been taken over by new trustees and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers look after the resident animals, old and new. Many animals arrive in a terrible condition and are completely transformed by living at the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has now been running for 35 years – it has over 50 regular volunteers, a huge amount of local and loyal support and over 20,000 followers on Facebook.

CEO Dave Schlaich explained: “We have continued to rescue horses and farm animals, but have found that over the years the type of animals we are having to help has greatly changed, with people getting more and more into exotic species through the pet trade.”

The sanctuary is now open the public from Friday to Monday each week. It has become a visitor attraction with a small tea room. All activities generate funds that go directly to the animals, making the future more secure.

Said David: “You can support us by becoming a regular donor, visit us, sponsor an animal or leave us a legacy in your will, knowing that your donation goes towards providing a home for life for one of our animals.” q

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If you Will, we will [LEGACIES MEAN SO much to the team at Last Chance

Animal Rescue. These wonderful gifts have helped them to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home so many abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs who otherwise would have had no future.

The charity understand the wishes of its kind benefactors who have considered them in their Wills. A spokesperson said: “We know they want their generous gift to us to be used directly to save lives, provide the very best of care and to find loving homes.

“Legacies really do provide the gift of life and Last Chance Animal Rescue can now, after much planning and prudent use of funds, offer our life saving services to so many more needy pets. We are delighted to announce we now have a second rescue and re-homing centre in Kent, giving hope and a true A new friend for Alan last chance to so many.

“Sadly we cannot thank those who have enabled this wonderful achievement but are extremely grateful to all those who are currently considering helping us now and in the future to continue our work.” q

Re-homing is their mission [THE MISSION of Three Counties Dog Rescue is to accept, care

for and find homes for unwanted, lost and stray dogs and cats and to ensure their wellbeing afterwards. The charity was founded in 1971 and since then they have improved the lives of over 7,000 dogs and cats.

Before rehoming, all animals are vet checked, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept in suitable conditions. Rehabilitation costs are a major part of the charity’s annual expenditure of over £200,000.

Healthy animals are never put down. As part of that non-destruction policy, several elderly dogs are kept in long term foster care. However, this means that the charity can incur large veterinary costs to maintain a dog’s health while they await a new permanent home.

Every penny raised goes to improving the lives of dogs and cats.

Three Counties Dog Rescue is run entirely by voluntary and unpaid helpers, who also meet their own expenses. q

Saving lives one sniff at a time [HYPO HOUNDS provide a

viable health care alternative for children and their families by training a Diabetic Alert Dog to detect the subtle changes in the child’s blood sugar levels.

The dogs are trained to alert parents when the child’s sugar levels drop dangerously low or rise too high. This not only impacts on the child but also on the family’s ability to function as a unit, with the registered carer becoming the dog.

Hypo Hounds work is becoming nationally recognised and is literally saving the lives of children – one sniff at a time. q

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Until clefts are preventable, help is available worldwide [TODAY, ONE IN 700 BABIES in

the UK are born with a cleft lip and palate, the most common form of birth defect.

The impact on a child’s life as they grow is profound. It may affect not only the way they look, but also their speech, hearing and dental development. And it can leave deep psychological scars.

In the developing world, patients with clefts are frequently not operated on until later in life, if at all. As a result, they may be malnourished and unable to talk well or hear properly. Often, they will be social outcasts.

At CLEFT, our vision is of a future where clefts are preventable. Until we get there, we want to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate – in the UK and in poorer countries around the world.

Join the research effort

By funding research, we continue to make headway into understanding why clefts occur and to deliver pioneering new treatments that deliver kinder, more effective and more efficient care for children with cleft lip and palate.

By supporting the development of cleft centres in low and middleincome countries we aim to give children born with clefts in these poorer countries the same opportunities available to children in the UK. Each donation takes us a step closer to reaching our goal. All gifts could have a direct impact on changing the lives of many hundreds of thousands of babies and children around the world.

Please join us and help us prevent clefts for future generations. q

How you can make surgery their legacy [CHOOSING TO LEAVE the Royal College of Surgeons

of England (RCSEng) a legacy in your will can have a direct impact on the future of surgery and on the patients who receive it. Legacies have enabled the college to purchase essential equipment and support a wide range of projects in surgical education and research.

A one-year research fellowship costs in the region of £65,000 and a recent bequest funded a urology surgeon who is looking at determining the genetic drivers of bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer affects approximately 10,000 people each year in the UK and is more common in older adults and men. The research aims to help sufferers of bladder cancer by looking into the genes which play an important role in driving the cancers, and their responses to treatments.

In the short term the project hopes to discover new ways to diagnose bladder cancer and predict patients’ responses to treatments, and in the longer term will aim to identify treatments that are more effective.

Since the RCSEng’s surgical fellowship scheme was founded in 1993 the number of high-calibre applications has doubled, and the college is unable to support 80% of applicants.

The college are always in need of more funding to enable projects that address the health challenges of modern society, supporting the development of pioneering ideas across the NHS. With each small success, the Royal College of Surgeons of England takes another step towards the next big breakthrough. q

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Queen’s Speech measure will see Dormant Assets Scheme expanded

[

ANOTHER WIDELY-ANTICIPATED feature of April’s Queen’s Speech was the expansion of the Dormant Assets Scheme into the insurance and pensions, investment and wealth management sectors.

According to the government, the main benefits of the Dormant Assets Bill would be to unlock around £880m for social and environmental initiatives across the UK, while protecting dormant asset owners and participating businesses. The Bill follows a consultation exercise earlier this year.

A further function of the Bill will be to enable ‘the social and environmental focus of the English portion of funds to be set through secondary legislation’, in line with the model used in the devolved administrations.

A future public consultation is anticipated on the causes to which future funding can be distributed.

The Dormant Assets Scheme was established by the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 and is administered

by Reclaim Fund Ltd. It was originally expected to bring in around £400m, but over the past decade alone more than £745m has been released to social and environmental initiatives across the UK.

The funding is apportioned between England (83.9%), Wales (4.9%), Scotland (8.4%) and Northern Ireland (2.8%), with funding decisions taken at a devolved level.

Commenting on the expansion of the scheme, Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “Funds raised through the existing Dormant Assets Scheme

have already made a huge difference to vulnerable people and communities across the UK, especially during the pandemic. Expanding the scheme will mean hundreds of millions more for good causes, helping us to build back stronger in the years to come.”

Only cash will be transferred into the scheme; any non-cash assets must first crystallise or be converted to cash before being eligible for transfer. Definitions of dormancy and reclaim values have been tailored to asset classes based on market practice and, where relevant and appropriate, existing regulations.

The owners of the assets will always be able to reclaim the full amount owed to them, and the transfer and reclaim process will be tax neutral.

John Glen, Economic Secretary to The Treasury, commented: “Banks and buildingand-loans associations across the UK are working tirelessly to reunite those with forgotten assets. But if this is not possible, it is correct that these funds will be used to address some of the UK’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.

“The expansion of the scheme means that more people will reconnect with their assets, while at the same time making more money available for legitimate purposes.” q

Practical support helps to alleviate the impact of sight loss [

THERE ARE TWO MILLION people in the UK living with sight loss and by 2050 the figure is set to double. Being diagnosed with any form of sight loss is lifechanging and devastating for both the individuals concerned and their families.

The Partially Sighted Society is a national charity that understands this; it has been providing help and support to anybody living with sight loss for over 50 years.

The society’s range of services includes the design, printing and provision of bespoke school exercise books for children, a specialist low-vision and sight test service, and the provision of aids and equipment to assist those living with sight loss to continue to live full and independent lives.

They are there to offer support for both the practical and the emotional impact of sight loss, by phone and in person. They also offer a range of social and support activities to alleviate the social isolation that comes with sight loss.

Leaving a gift in a will is a meaningful way of helping The Partially Sighted Society to help others. Legacies leave a lasting impact on transforming the lives of those living with sight loss. q

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Rescue centre offers a lifeline to injured wildlife

[HESSILHEAD WILDLIFE RESCUE TRUST is situated near Beith,

in North Ayrshire. It was set up as a charity in 1986, although its founders Andy and Gay had been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife since 1970, when they rescued a fox cub from a gamekeeper and his dogs. As the number of casualties increased year on year, Andy and Gay needed financial and practical help.

Once the trust was set up, new aviaries and enclosures were built. A membership scheme proved popular and many volunteers were recruited. The centre now occupies a 20-acre site, including woodland, marsh and open water. That gives a variety of release sites for its patients.

Approximately 3,500 wildlife casualties are now treated each year, with the aim of returning them to the wild. Among the many hedgehogs, foxes and familiar garden birds there are deer, otters, badgers and seals. All have been rescued and are rehabilitated. In addition, swans are treated regularly, along with buzzards, peregrines, herons and sea birds.

The centre operates a 24-hour rescue service and there are more than 60 enclosures and aviaries, a hedgehog hospital, a seal/swan unit and intensive care facility. It also offers training courses on the handling, care and treatment of wildlife casualties.

Spring and summer are especially busy, with hundreds of nestling birds being hand reared. Care is taken to rear all youngsters with minimum human contact. That prevents wild birds and mammals becoming too used to people, so giving them a good chance of survival in the wild.

Hessilhead is primarily a voluntary organisation. Its volunteers help in many ways: fundraising, building and maintenance, driving patients to the centre and daily cleaning and feeding. q

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Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say ‘Thank You!’

[JUNE HAS BEEN designated the #MonthOfCommunity, with a

range of events encouraging people to think about and join in with the wide variety of positive activities and initiatives happening in local communities across the UK. It includes special events such as Small Charity Week and culminates in Thank You Day on 4 July.

The month of acknowledgements kicked off on 1 June with the beginning of Volunteers' Week, an annual campaign which sees charities, voluntary groups, social organisations and volunteers themselves come together to recognise the incredible impact that volunteering has in UK communities.

This year’s theme is ‘A time to say thanks’ – recognising that, during an exceptionally difficult year due to the coronavirus pandemic, people from all walks of life around the UK have taken the time to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and their communities every day: just as they do every year. Nationally, volunteering contributed an estimated £18.2bn to the UK economy in 2017-18 alone – almost 1% of GDP. Each day from 1-7 June focuses on a different theme of volunteering, such as youth volunteering, employer supported volunteering and environmental volunteering. Each day is a chance to take the time to say ‘thank you’ to volunteers across the UK – and the co-ordinators are calling for all charities and volunteers to get involved.

Sarah Vibert, interim chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which co-ordinates Volunteers’ Week in England, said: “Volunteers are always working at the heart of every UK community. It is hard to overstate the incredible impact they have made during an incredibly challenging year. The pandemic has rightly raised the profile of volunteering and more people than ever are aware of the immense contribution being made every single day by the amazing volunteers across the UK. We must ensure this recognition continues. That is why, on this 37th annual Volunteers’ Week, it’s time to say: thank you volunteers!”

The response to the COVID pandemic has seen volunteers coming together to support wherever they can. That can be seen in the 400,000 active volunteers who were signed up by the NHS Volunteer Responders.

Natashia Davies, national senior programme lead for volunteering at NHS Health Education England, added: “Hundreds of thousands of people have stepped forward to support our NHS through voluntary action. This Volunteers’ Week we will showcase some of the amazing things these volunteers have supported us to do during the pandemic, and say to our regular volunteers who have had to take some time out temporarily to stay safe: we can’t wait to have you back!” q

The range of charities which depend on legacies to carry out their valuable work is a broad one. Those that are represented in this publication are listed below, grouped according to the area of activity in which they operate.

ANIMAL WELFARE

INDEX

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Friends of the Animals 4/5

Prostate Cancer Research 1

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 6

Cancer Prevention Research Trust 2

Tiggywinkles 6

Pain Relief Foundation 2

The Horse Rescue Fund 10

Brain Research UK 8

Wild Futures 12

Against Breast Cancer 9

The Jim Cronin Memorial Fund 14

World Cancer Research Fund 13/32

Forever Hounds Trust 15

FRAME 20

Heartbeat Home for Horses 15

The National Brain Appeal 22/23

FOUR PAWS 16/17

CLEFT 28

RCVS Knowledge 18

Royal College of Surgeons of England 28

Pet Rescue Welfare Association 19 The New European Distressed Donkey Initiative Ltd 21 The Suffolk Punch Trust 24 Marwell Wildlife 24 Hope Rescue 25

SUPPORT & ADVICE The Seafarers’ Charity 7

British Chelonia Group 25 Hopefield Animal Sanctuary 26 Last Chance Animal Rescue 27 Three Counties Dog Rescue 27 Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 30

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

OVERSEAS AID ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 10

HEALTH & DISABILITY

Kidney Kids Scotland 8

National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 11

Hypo Hounds 27

The Partially Sighted Society 29

31 31

32 32