Girl with bug pot at Wildlife Tots, St Cross Meadow HIWWT (c) Lianne de Mello
How to write your will
Give the gift of nature to the next generation
Nature is for everyone and just like you, we care about its future.
Including a gift in your will to Avon Wildlife Trust will protect nature for the next generation. Your generosity could bring back species at risk of extinction and create connected, nature-abundant landscapes across our region that everyone can enjoy.
We manage almost 1,000 hectares of land, restoring vital habitats for vulnerable species and creating climate resilient landscapes to protect the communities around us. With your support, we’ve been doing this for over 45 years.
As we face new challenges associated with climate change, nature needs generous people like you more than ever. By including a gift in your will, you can help build a future where nature flourishes – for the benefit of both people and wildlife.
(c) Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Nature is for everyone
Just like you, more people should have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Avon’s wildlife. The moments of joy you get from walks in our reserves or advice on how to give wildlife a home wherever you are, can be experienced by more people for years to come.
Your will can help more people have access to nature and inspire them to take action to protect it.
Every single gift makes a difference, no matter how large or small. Will you help care for nature for generations to come?
I’m sure that, like me, you’re concerned about the future of our planet. You too share a belief that it is important that we leave a thriving natural world for future generations to know and enjoy. That is why making a will is one of the most important jobs any of us has to do.
Brown hare (c) David Tipling/2020VISION
How to write your will
We’ve partnered with expert estate planners, Octopus Legacy, so you can write or update your will for free in as little as 20 minutes*.
The cost of your will is covered by us up to £150 – so you can write or update a simple will for free or get a will with trust at a discounted rate. Most people who use the service include a gift in their will to Avon Wildlife Trust, because they too want to nurture nature for generations to come. However, there is absolutely no obligation to include a gift in your will, and you can still create a will for free if you choose not to leave us a gift.
You can write your will online, over the phone/video call, In-person (At home or in-branch) or call Octopus Legacy directly on 020 4525 3605 and quote Avon Wildlife Trust. *This is based on the initial information sharing stage, it will then be checked by the Octopus team to continue the process.
Any gift, no matter the size, can make a huge difference. Thank you for considering including a gift in your will to Avon Wildlife Trust.
(c) Ben Hall/2020VISION
Information for executors and solicitors
Are you administering a will with a gift to Avon Wildlife Trust? Follow the link below to check our frequently asked questions for executors and solicitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve pulled together answers to some of the most common questions about including a gift in your will to Avon Wildlife Trust.
If the answer to your question is not here, please take a look at the whole host of advice from our partner Octopus Legacy here: Octopus Legacy
If this still doesn’t answer your question, please contact our friendly team by emailing fundraising@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 0117 917 7270 and we’ll help find you an answer.
How do I make my will?
We have partnered with Octopus Legacy to provide our supporters with a free will. Your will can be written online, over the phone or you can request an in person visit. Our free will service covers standard wills worth up to £150. We will cover the first £150 for your complex will, with the additional fee starting at £299. To claim your free will and get started in as little as 20 minutes, use our unique voucher code here: Online Will | Will Writing Service UK - Octopus Legacy
You can also contact a qualified legal professional for information. The Law Society can provide you with a directory of solicitors near you.
How do I know if I will need a complex will?
The main reasons for needing a complex will is if you would need to include a trust within the will, and estates valued over £325,000. Trusts can be helpful in a range of situations, for example:
- To leave money to children, but only after they turn a certain age (18-25 trusts)
- If you have beneficiaries who are disabled or vulnerable, a trust can ensure the assets are managed wisely
- If you have a spouse or partner, and children from a previous marriage, you may need a trust to ensure your assets are distributed in line with your wishes
- High/medium net-worth individuals may be more likely to require a complex will or trust. Trusts can help minimise inheritance tax if your estate is worth above £325,000. Leaving gifts to charity also influences inheritance tax, more on this can be found on the Octopus Legacy website here: Can you reduce inheritance tax by leaving a gift to charity?
- If you own a business, trusts can help with succession planning and ensure the business assets are protected
If you think you require a complex will you can call the Octopus team, quoting you are an Avon Wildlife Trust supporter wishing to write your will. Their number is: 020 4525 3605
What information do I need about Avon Wildlife Trust to include a gift in my will?
You need to include our name, address and registered charity number:
- Charity name: Avon Wildlife Trust
- Address: 17 Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5QT
- Our registered charity number: 280422.
What should I include in my will?
Your solicitor will outline what to include and if you are using our free will service, this will also take you through the different considerations to make step by step.
I’ve already made a will. Do I need to make a new one to include a gift to Avon Wildlife Trust?
You can update your will with your existing solicitor in person or amend it online through our partnership with Octopus Legacy. Please note, Octopus solicitors will only make small amendments such as adding another charity gift. For bigger amendments, they recommend starting a new will. You can do both a new will and an amendment by using our free will service here: Online Will | Will Writing Service UK - Octopus Legacy
What kind of gift could I give to Avon Wildlife Trust?
There are three types of gift you can leave in your will:
- A specific sum – this is a gift of a set amount of money and is known as a pecuniary gift
- A share of your estate – this is a percentage or share of your estate and is known as a residuary gift
- Land and property – please contact us before completing your will to discuss this
Please do not leave us the contents of your home or other items such as antiques and paintings to be sold, as we do not have a house clearance service or charity shops to sell such items.
Can I include a gift of land and property in my will to Avon Wildlife Trust?
Gifts of land are extremely important in protecting and restoring nature across our region and linking up areas of our Nature Recovery Network to allow wildlife to move, feed and thrive throughout the landscape. We look at land gifts case by case to assess if we have the resources to care for it and to ensure it fits with our strategic charitable aims.
We also assess property gifts on a case-by-case basis as some individuals are happy for the sale of the property to form their cash gift.
If you are proposing to gift us property and land, we will also discuss with you whether we would be able to accept both the property and land, or whether we would have to sell the property and only work with the land to meet our strategic charitable aims.
If you are considering including a gift of land or property in your will, please do email fundraising@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 01179 177 270 to discuss this in more detail and to see if the land is the right fit for Avon Wildlife Trust.
Can I include a gift to a specific project, nature reserve or area of Avon Wildlife Trust’s work?
As a charity, the greatest impact is when a gift is unrestricted and can be used for our general charitable purposes, which helps all areas of the organisation. Leaving a gift to Avon Wildlife Trust as a whole, means all our projects, reserves and areas of our work which support people, nature and climate resilience will benefit.
However, if you have volunteered on a project or reserve, we would be happy to discuss gifts which support specific strategic aims of the charity. For example, a gift to help our education, land reserves or nature’s recovery work. Supporting specific projects in a will is usually not advised, as these are often fixed term.
Please discuss this with our fundraising team by emailing fundraising@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk or call 01179 177 270 before restricting your gift.
Can Avon Wildlife Trust be an executor for my estate?
No, as a beneficiary we are unable to be an executor. We also do not have that capacity within our charity. Your solicitor will discuss appropriate options for you and Octopus Legacy also has these services should you need them at an additional cost. The cost varies based on the size of your estate and Octopus Legacy will discuss those with you as part of the will writing process.
Can Avon Wildlife Trust witness my will?
No, as we are a beneficiary. Please read Octopus Legacy's advice on who should be a witness to your will: Who can witness a will?
Should I let you know that I have included or plan to include a gift in my will to Avon Wildlife Trust?
We really appreciate hearing that you have thought of Avon’s wildlife when making your will. It allows us to thank you for your generosity and keep you up to date with the work that people like you are helping to achieve. Please complete our pledge form here if you would like to let us know.
