Leave a gift in your will
Protect the wildlife and wild places you love forever
Imagine leaving a gift that truly lasts a lifetime. A gift that allows others to enjoy Staffordshire’s wildlife and wild places for years to come - just like you do now. A gift that will provide a wilder future for the people, places and wildlife of Staffordshire.
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.
Eliza's Story
Eliza's story (2024) (https://youtu.be/Hlr-sX0FyLc)
Photography by Kevin Palmer, Debs Richardson Bull, Tom Marshall and Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography. Music by Kai Engel.
How your gift will help
We need nature, and it needs us. But nature is under threat. Gifts in wills allow us to protect more nature reserves, save more species, and ensure that future generations can experience the wonder of nature, just like we do. Leaving a gift to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in your will, no matter the amount, is a wonderful way to make a lasting contribution to wildlife.
Gifts in wills are a vital part of our charity's funding. Without them, we would struggle to continue our work.
Commonly asked questions about leaving a legacy to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
We've also answered some of the commonly asked questions below, but if you need more information or you've made the incredible decision to leave a gift to SWT then please email us on legacies@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
There are also a series of handy videos made by Remember a Charity to help you with your decision to leave a gift in your will - you you can watch these in the section at the bottom of this page.
Do I need to be a member to leave a gift in your will?
You don't, anyone can leave a gift to the Trust in their will.
Do I have to leave a large amount?
Not at all, you can leave any amount you like and even the smallest amount can make a big difference.
Can you provide legal advice?
We cannot provide legal advice, but we can talk to you about the benefit that your gift will provide to Staffordshire's wildlife.
Do I need to notify the Trust that I've chosen to include them in my will?
While you don't need to tell us, it's really helpful if you do and it means we can personally thank you too.
If Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is not specifically mentioned in my will, can they still receive a donation if I tell family I want them to?
Sadly we will not receive your gift unless it is included in your will.
Want to know more?
- To find out more please request our free information booklet by emailing legacies@staffs-wildlife.org.uk.
- If you would like to discuss leaving a legacy to the Trust, please contact Sarah Collier on 01889 880100 (our reception team will get a message to her for you) or email legacies@staffs-wildlife.org.uk.
Technical Information if you wish to include Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in your will
The words used in a Will are very important. To help, we've made a special page to help. Click here to view it
Tax matters
100 per cent of the value of your gift will be received by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. A gift in a Will is exempt from tax and may reduce inheritance tax liabilities if your estate is over the threshold.
Those leaving a special gift to SWT
These are just some of the people that decided to leave a special gift for Staffordshire's Wildlife, without their support, our work would not be possible!
Elaine and Peter Plimmer
Elaine and Peter Plimmer, from Uttoxeter, pledged to leave a gift in their will to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. Elaine explains why...
“We are regular visitors to the Wolseley Centre (Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s HQ) – it is a 10 minute drive away from us. There is such a variety of wildlife to see here, river birds, land birds, and of course beautiful kingfishers.
“If it wasn’t for the Wolseley Centre, which is free to visit, we would have to travel a long way to see things. We want to give back to something which we have had the use of ourselves. We decided to give to leave a gift to SWT in our will as we wanted our gift to benefit a charity that is close to home. Nature is important to us - we really enjoy birdwatching.
“Even though we don’t have children, we think it is important to encourage the younger generation to love nature as they are the ones who will be protecting it in the future. The Wolseley Centre is a great place for children and families to visit and enjoy wildlife.
“Sorting out our will has given us peace of mind, we don’t have to worry about it any more. We can go out and enjoy our retirement now!”
Peter added: “I think it’s really important to get the message out that it doesn’t matter if you give just a small amount in your will. Every penny helps.”
Cannock Chase sunburst through pines by Sarah Davison
This anonymous member wants to support nature beyond their life..
"I grew up in the countryside and thus became a country lover. On my retirement some twenty years ago, I lived either next, or near, to Cannock Chase. I love this location and walk on the Chase everyday; 4 miles or more at a time. During this period, I was invited to join Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and did so, later becoming a member (for life). I soon got to know some of the staff and rangers and admired the work they do to preserve the nature reserves under their care. I was on occasion asked to help out financially when they had the opportunity to buy other nature reserves and usually responded. As a result of my increasing knowledge of their wonderful work, I made the decision to leave them some money in my will. They have recently started to offer such people visits to their various reserves and I have been on all of them. It is an excellent idea, as I can visit new reserves to see what the Trust is doing and also meeting a group of like-minded people."
Will writing discount
There are number of solicitors in Staffordshire who give a 15% discount on will-writing services for supporters of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. See the list of participating solicitors below:
Adcocks Solicitors
Lichfield
Contact: Maddie Williams, 01543 442109 mw@adcocks.com
A.H. Brooks & Co
Leek and Cheadle
Contact: Gillian Harrison, 01538 383201 (Leek) or Lee Pointon 01538 754253 (Cheadle)
Bowcock & Pursaill LLP
Leek, Eccleshall, Hanley, Uttoxeter
Contact Rob Fearnley, 01889 598888 rf@bowcockpursaill.co.uk
Else Solicitors
Burton on Trent
Contact Kathryn Caple, 01283 526230 kathryn.caple@elselaw.co.uk
Hutsby Mees Solicitors
Stafford
Contact Henry Hutsby or David Mees, 01785 259211 hhutsby@hutsbymees.co.uk dmees@hutsbymees.co.uk
Keelys LLP
Lichfield
Contact Catherine Elliott, 01543 420000 celliott@keelys.co.uk
Timms Solicitors
Derby, Burton, Ashby & Swadlincote
Contact Jo Robinson, 01332 364436 (for all branches), j.robinson@timms-law.com
Eric Whitehead Partnership
Cheadle
Contact Sonia Consearo, (01538) 758907
Learn more about wills from Remember a Charity
Remember a Charity have produced the below videos to help guide and support you in your decisions around your will. You can find out more on their website, just click below.
How to leave a gift in your will
How to leave a gift to charity in your will (https://youtu.be/WJPvQtadyuo?si=peQNDc50Ssh0ivFl)
A video by Remember a Charity
How can gifts in wills reduce inheritance tax?
How can gifts in wills reduce inheritance tax (https://youtu.be/t5Mv8zQ2jt8?si=-bV5aY6IhyWMNPwX)
A video by Remember a Charity
How to change your will
How to change your will (https://youtu.be/t5Mv8zQ2jt8?si=-bV5aY6IhyWMNPwX)
A video by Remember a Charity
What is an executor of a will?
What is an Executor of a will? (https://youtu.be/axGBVjKt8rc?si=4C0annwEA6gKpZFl)
A video by Remember a Charity
Special events for special people
Throughout the year, we run events which are organised to thank those who have included SWT in their will, who have made a major financial gift during their lifetime, or have made some other kind of contribution that deserves special recognition.