Everyone has a story.
Some are full of adventure and daring. Some are tales of hard work and sacrifice. Some are big and bold. Others, quiet and reflective.
Children’s stories are only just beginning—and yet, some already carry pain no child should have to bear. What if your story could help rewrite theirs?
A gift in your Will to Act for Kids will help turn the page for children who’ve experienced abuse and neglect.
Your legacy powering our work could help kids start a new chapter, filling their pages with hope, healing and possibility.
Together, we can empower and safeguard the next generation.
A Message from our CEO, Dr Katrina Lines
When we’re children, our story is only just beginning. Each day is a new page, full of possibilities waiting to be written - stories of love, laughter, discovery and dreams taking shape.
Sadly, not every child’s story starts this way. At Act for Kids, we see children whose early chapters are marked by fear, trauma or neglect. Children who are left feeling alone, unsafe, and unsure of where their story might lead.
That’s why our work exists—because every child deserves a chance to rewrite their story. Your gift can help make that change. With the right support, healing is possible, and by leaving a gift in your Will to Act for Kids, you will directly help children turn their painful early chapters into stories of hope and healing.
When a child receives the support they need to heal, the impact flows beyond their own life. It can support more stable families, help communities thrive, and create brighter days for the next generation.
Your bequest could help more children turn the page to a new beginning— one filled with safety, care, and hope.
Your legacy could be the chapter in a child’s life where things finally start to change—for good. From my heart, thank you for considering this beautiful way to help children heal, thrive, and write the future they deserve.
With all my gratitude,
Dr Katrina Lines Chief Executive Officer, Act for Kids
Your Gift. Their Next Chapter.
A gift in your Will to Act for Kids is more than a donation. It’s a legacy of compassion—a powerful way for you to help children who’ve experienced trauma begin a new chapter filled with healing, safety and hope.
When you leave a gift to Act for Kids, you can elect for it to be invested in our Endowment Fund, a long-term, sustainable fund established to ensure we can continue supporting children for generations to come.
Your gift is carefully invested, with the principal preserved and allowed to grow over time. Each year, the income earned from this investment is used to fund critical therapy and support services for vulnerable children and families.
Your legacy will not only change a child’s life today, it will ripple through future generations.
Act for Kids — How your gift works
As the original gift is never spent, your legacy continues to give—year after year—providing consistent, reliable support to ensure that more children can heal and rebuild their stories.
Your gift could fund trauma counselling, speech therapy, psychology, or family support—vital services that wrap around each child and walk with them as they rebuild their story.
With your help, we can continue to reach children across Australia who are waiting for support—and ensure they’re never left behind because of economic uncertainties.
By leaving a gift in your Will, you become part of something truly meaningful. A legacy of love. A future filled with possibility. A story that lives on through the children you help.
Where Act for Kids’ story began
In 1988, a small group of passionate professionals—including paediatrician Dr David Wood and social worker Beverley Fitzgerald—gathered around a shared concern: children who had experienced abuse were falling through the cracks, with nowhere to turn for healing support.
Therapy for children simply wasn’t available in the way it needed to be.
What started as the Abused Child Trust grew from this urgent need— driven by determination, courage, and a belief that children deserved better. In those early days, passionate individuals rallied together—holding garage sales and market stalls to raise vital funds.
There were setbacks, difficult decisions, and moments where the future felt uncertain. But there was always a vision: to build something lasting. Something that could help change the trajectory of a child’s life.
Act for Kids — Where our story began
Nearly 40 years later, that vision is still alive. Today, Act for Kids has grown into a national organisation that each year supports thousands of children and families—and yet, the heart of the work remains the same: helping children feel safe, valued and supported as they heal and grow.
The story of Act for Kids is still being written, and with your support, we can continue to build on the foundation laid by our founders.
By leaving a gift in your Will, you are becoming part of a living legacy— a story of healing, hope, and change that continues because of you.
*Name and image changed to protect privacy
Marlina’s* Story
Marlina* didn’t have the safe, carefree childhood every child deserves. Instead, her early years were filled with fear and violence.
She, her mum, and her younger siblings lived with domestic abuse, often hiding under the bed to escape their father’s rage. Eventually, her mum was able to leave, and the family fled to safety in another state. But the trauma stayed with Marlina. She struggled with PTSD and behavioural issues, often stuck in a constant state of “fight or flight.” Her relationships with family and peers began to suffer.*
* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Act for Kids — Marlina’s Story
After being referred to Act for Kids, Marlina’s mother received psychoeducation, while Marlina participated in a therapeutic tabletop gaming program.
This helped her improve her social skills, reduce conflicts, and better manage emotions.
By the end of the program, her mum saw real changes.
Today, Marlina no longer needs intensive support. She’s a happy, well-rounded young girl, with a circle of friends and a close bond with her little brother and sister - often found playing hide-and-seek or dress-ups with them.
“It was August 1986. A few social workers had got together, saying we should do something about the lack of therapy services for kids and families. I think this was pioneering at the time. The plan was to set up something that was evidence-based, and would be constantly evidence-based.”
Dr David Wood, Paediatrician and Co-founder of Act for Kids
for Kids — Our Promise
Our promise to you
How we will honour your story
If you choose to leave a gift in your Will to Act for Kids, we make this heartfelt promise to you:
We know family and loved ones come first
We are deeply grateful for any support you choose to extend to Act for Kids after you’ve taken care of those closest to you. We will use your gift with care, integrity and impact
Your legacy will be used wisely to help children who need safety, support and hope for the future.
We respect your wishes and privacy
Whether you choose to tell us about your gift or remain anonymous, we will honour your decision. We will treat your gift—and your memory—with heartfelt gratitude
Every bequest is a powerful act of generosity, and we will always honour it with the care and respect it deserves.
We will give you the opportunity to connect
If you wish, we would love to share with you how your future gift could help change children’s lives.
We will be here if you have questions
We’re happy to speak with you or your solicitor at any time to make the process as simple and meaningful as possible.
Ways to remember Act for Kids in your Will
How to leave a Legacy Gift to Act for Kids
After providing for your loved ones, you may choose to leave a charitable bequest in your Will to Act for Kids.
There are several ways to structure your gift, including:
• Percentage Bequest – Leaving a nominated percentage of your estate ensures your family and dependents are cared for while automatically allowing for adjustments due to inflation over time.
• Residual Bequest – Donating the remainder of your estate after providing for loved ones and settling financial commitments ensures your gift reflects your estate’s final value.
• Specific Bequest – Gifting a fixed sum of money or a specific asset, such as real estate, shares, or other valuable property, allows you to make a meaningful contribution with a specific asset.
We encourage you to seek legal advice on your Will to fully understand your options and ensure your chosen bequest is structured appropriately for your circumstances and legally documented in accordance with Australian estate planning laws.
Act for Kids — Ways to remember
Suggested wording for a bequest to Act for Kids
If you wish to leave a bequest to Act for Kids in your Will, you may like to use the following wording – however we encourage you to first seek legal advice before changing your Will.
“I GIVE [insert share or percentage, e.g. half or 50%] of my residuary estate to Act for Kids Limited ABN 98 142 986 767 (Act for Kids) of Level 1, 8 Gardner Close, Milton Queensland 4064, for its charitable purposes. The receipt of the financial controller or other officer of Act for Kids is a full discharge of my Executor. I declare a charitable intention. If Act for Kids is for any reason unable to accept the gift, is no longer charitable or no longer exists, then my Executor shall pay the gift to another charity which in the opinion of my Executor has similar charitable purposes.”
OR
“I GIVE free of all duties and charges the sum of $ _____________ [insert $ amount] to Act for Kids Limited ABN 98 142 986 767 (Act for Kids) of Level 1, 8 Gardner Close, Milton Queensland 4064, for its charitable purposes. The receipt of the financial controller or other officer of Act for Kids is a full discharge of my Executor. I declare a charitable intention. If Act for Kids is for any reason unable to accept the gift, is no longer charitable or no longer exists, then my Executor shall pay the gift to another charity which in the opinion of my Executor has similar charitable purposes.”
Endowment fund request wording (optional):
If you would like your gift to be held in Act for Kids’ Endowment Fund, then you can use this wording in your Will immediately after the gift:
“I request Act for Kids hold the gift in an endowment fund maintained by Act for Kids, if such exists at the time the gift is paid, for so long as determined appropriate by Act for Kids.”
Beverley Fitzgerald Social Worker and Act for Kids Co-founder