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Charitable thoughts... Charity remains a powerful expression of generosity, whether it is made through a gift in a will, a fundraising campaign or the everyday work of those who dedicate their time to good causes. • Gifts left in wills continue to play an important role in charitable giving, with new data revealing that they have passed the £100m milestone. For those considering leaving a legacy, however, estate planning can raise important questions. We look at whether a will can still be challenged after probate has been granted. • The relationship between charities and their supporters is also evolving. Research suggests that public perceptions of charitable fundraising are improving, while new guidance aims to help wealth advisers feel more confident about discussing charitable legacies with clients and supporting their philanthropic ambitions. • We examine the contribution made by some of Britain’s largest listed businesses, following research suggesting that their charitable giving has fallen despite record profits. For charities, securing sustainable support remains an ongoing challenge, making effective engagement with donors increasingly important.
• Good governance and responsible decision making are equally central to maintaining public confidence. The Charity Commission has concluded investigations into four charities as its wider class inquiry continues, while new guidance from the Fundraising Regulator aims to help charities understand and comply with the charitable purposes soft opt-in rules for electronic marketing. • We also consider the importance of diversity of thought within charity leadership, with new guidance highlighting how different backgrounds and perspectives can help organisations avoid blind spots and groupthink. • Finally, investment remains firmly in focus. Research indicates that many charities continue to place importance on environmental, social and governance considerations despite pressure to prioritise higher returns. • A common theme throughout is that the charitable sector is constantly adapting. Whether protecting legacies, strengthening governance or engaging with supporters, charities must balance opportunity with responsibility while keeping their purpose firmly at the heart of what they do.
In this issue...
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Can a will still be challenged after probate is granted?
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Research shows improvement in public’s perception of charitable fundraising
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Britain’s largest listed businesses give less to charity despite record profits
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Charitable gifts left in wills top £100m milestone, new data reveals
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Good practice guide launched for wealth advisers
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Regulator concludes investigation into four charities as class inquiry continues
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Fundraising Regulator publishes new guide to help charities comply with charitable purposes soft opt-in
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Value diversity of thought to avoid blind spots, guide urges charity leaders
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Charities stick to ESG investment focus despite pressure to boost returns
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EVERY DAY WE MAKE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN, BUT WE CAN ONLY DO IT WITH YOUR HELP 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. This beautiful puppy was just eight weeks old and is just one of almost 10,000 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 47,000 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), was badly burnt in a house fire, but made a good recovery; and the dear little cat above had everything wrong with him, but survived and thrived. “When 11 month old Border Collie ‘J.J.’ came into our care, she had a metal plate poking through a
badly infected front leg, a paw so badly crushed the bones had fused together and a stab wound. “Her original owner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and was fined £2,000 and banned from keeping an animal for ten years. “As you can see from the wonderful photo below, ‘J.J.’ went on to much better things.”
Gifts in wills fund one in two veterinary treatments and so legacies are an absolute lifeline to the rescue and spaying/neutering work carried out by Friends of the Animals. The charity has a policy of non-destruction, unless an animal is sick or injured with no hope of recovery, and they keep admin costs to a minimum. Very importantly, 85% of their staff are volunteers, which ensures as much of your gift as possible is spent on saving animals. Pitted against that constant battle to save lives was the action of the person who set fire to the front of the Charity’s base. “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.” 5
HELP CHANGE LIVES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME [OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE
in the UK are living with sight loss – and that number is expected to double by 2050. A diagnosis of sight loss is life-changing, not just for the individual, but for their families too. The Partially Sighted Society understands the challenges that come with sight loss – because they’ve been supporting people through them for over 50 years. As a national charity, they provide specialist services that make a real difference every day. From custom-designed school exercise books for children to low vision assessments, assistive equipment and emotional support, their goal is simple: to help those affected by sight loss live as independently and fully as possible. They also offer a range of social activities and support groups to combat the loneliness and isolation that often accompany sight loss – because no one should face it alone. By leaving a gift in your will, you can help ensure that no one has to navigate sight loss without the support they need. Your legacy could bring hope, dignity and independence to thousands of people for years to come. Even a small gift can make a powerful difference. Please consider remembering The Partially Sighted Society in your will – and help them continue transforming lives, long into the future. q
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CAN A WILL STILL BE CHALLENGED AFTER PROBATE IS GRANTED? [
MANY PEOPLE ASSUME that once probate is granted, that’s the end of it. The will is settled, the estate gets shared out and any objection is too late. That assumption is wrong, according to Barrister Connect. Probate confirms that the executors are allowed to deal with the estate. It doesn’t prove the will itself was valid and it doesn’t mean everything is being shared out correctly. A challenge is still possible after probate, though it gets harder the more of the estate has already been handed out. It isn’t automatically too late, but the clock starts ticking. Before probate is granted, anyone with concerns can lodge what’s called a caveat. This pauses the process while the dispute gets sorted out. Once probate has been granted, that option disappears. A challenge then has to go through the courts instead, usually as an application to cancel the grant, known as ‘revoking’ it, alongside the claim about the will itself. Paul Dipré, Barrister at Barrister Connect, said: “In making a will, a testator must have regard to all individuals in a relevant nexus or relationship with him or her, and to the needs of those individuals judged against their independent resources and/or their call on other support from third parties. The 1975 Act does not abolish testamentary freedom, but subjects it to the discipline of making reasonable provision for those in a relevant relationship with the testator. “An individual may have a good claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 against the estate of a deceased person, in circumstances where no, or inadequate, financial provision has been made for them under the deceased’s will. “The categories of potential claimant
are: a spouse; a former spouse who has not remarried; a civil partner; a former civil partner who has not entered into a fresh civil partnership or marriage; a cohabitant of two years’ standing immediately prior to the death of the testator; a child; a dependant; or another individual with a ‘moral’ claim, including a person treated by the deceased as a child of the family. Any such claim must ordinarily be brought within six months of the grant of probate.” How much time someone has depends on the type of claim. Under the Inheritance Act, someone who feels they weren’t left enough money generally has six months from the date probate was granted to bring a claim. Claims that the will itself isn’t valid – for example because someone pressured the person who made it, they weren’t of sound mind, or it wasn’t signed and witnessed properly – don’t have a strict deadline. But waiting still counts against the person making the claim. Even without a hard deadline, delay causes problems. Executors can start sharing out the estate as soon as probate is granted. The longer someone waits, the more likely it is that money and property have already been distributed to beneficiaries, spent or become far harder to recover. Courts also take a dim view of people who sit on concerns for too long once they knew something was wrong. As a rough rule, the six months after probate is granted is when options start closing down, not when they open up. A claim can still be made even after the estate has been distributed. But it now means tracking down money and property that’s already been handed to beneficiaries, which is far more
complicated and costly than sorting a dispute out beforehand. If bad advice or sloppy drafting by a solicitor is part of the problem, there may also be a separate claim against them worth looking into. Executors aren’t automatically off the hook either. One who carelessly hands out an estate, ignoring a dispute they knew about or a caveat they should have checked for, can end up facing a claim themselves from beneficiaries who lose out. Paul Dipré added: “All relevant facts will be taken into account, including the financial circumstances of the claimant compared to those of the beneficiaries recognised under the will, weighed against the overall size of the estate. The judicial exercise of the power to give relief under the 1975 Act is highly discretionary; the facts of individual cases may be infinitely varied and may require complicated analysis. Claims brought out of time do not proceed as of right, but the court, taking the strength of the claim into account, may nevertheless allow one to proceed. “An individual who believes he or she may have a claim needs to seek fact-specific advice. These remarks are generalised and cannot form the basis for an adequate assessment of the merits and value of an individual’s potential claim.” It is important to get advice the moment there’s a concern, rather than waiting to see what happens. If probate hasn’t been granted yet, lodging a caveat is quick and straightforward. If it has already been granted, some deadlines are already running, and every week that passes makes it harder to recover money and property. q • For more information visit the website at www.barristerconnect.com.
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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CREATE A LASTING IMPACT FOR GREECE’S ANIMALS
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FOR OVER 60 YEARS, Animal Action Greece has been a lifeline for thousands of animals across the country. Every day, we rescue, treat and protect Greece’s most vulnerable animals, including street cats struggling to survive, abandoned dogs, and working donkeys, mules, and horses suffering from neglect and overwork. Many animals, like Dorothèa the donkey (pictured above), face unimaginable challenges. Dorothèa, whose name in Greek means ‘gift from God’, has been through more than most of us can imagine. This resilient donkey once worked tirelessly transporting tourists in a gorge. But when she was no longer wanted, she was handed off to a hoarder, where she suffered neglect and maltreatment. Later, she was used and then abandoned by an American film crew after filming a movie. Her journey has been incredibly tough, but we are happy to share that Dorothèa was rescued and now lives in a donkey sanctuary in Crete, where she is finally safe and able to live out the rest of her days. But our work is never done. The challenges animals face don’t disappear overnight, and without support, many will continue to suffer.
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That’s why leaving a gift in your will is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that our vital work carries on long into the future. By choosing to leave a legacy, you can help us: • Provide urgent veterinary care to stray animals who have no one • else to turn to. • Support community neutering programmes, preventing thousands • of unwanted kittens and puppies from being born into hardship on • the streets. • Ensure that donkeys, horses and mules receive the farriery, dental • and veterinary care they need to live free from pain. • Respond to emergencies, offering lifesaving treatment and shelter • to animals affected by disasters such as floods and forest fires. Every gift, no matter the size, has the power to change lives. Your kindness today can shape a better tomorrow – one where no animal is left to suffer alone. Will you help us create a future where every animal gets the care they deserve? Please contact us via the details below to find out more. q
RESEARCH SHOWS IMPROVEMENT IN PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION OF CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING
RESCUE CENTRE OFFERS A LIFELINE TO INJURED WILDLIFE
[ NEW RESEARCH from the Fundraising Regulator shows
encouraging improvements in the public’s perceptions of charitable fundraising, whilst highlighting the link between positive experiences and increased support for charities. The independent research, conducted by Opinium of a nationally representative sample of 3,018 UK adults between 6-20 May 2026, provides an updated picture of public experience and perceptions of charitable fundraising and compares changes since the Fundraising Regulator’s previous research in 2023. It explores public trust, awareness of the Fundraising Regulator and attitudes towards a range of fundraising methods. The findings show that almost two-thirds (64%) of people who experienced charitable fundraising have had a positive experience supporting charities over the past 12 months, with those respondents more likely to say they would support charities again in the future. For the second time, the research found door-to-door fundraising was the method people were least comfortable with and for which they reported the most negative experiences. However, there have been encouraging improvements in this area since the 2023 research, suggesting that the sector’s continued efforts to improve fundraising practice is having a positive impact. Experience of public fundraising – such as fundraising on the street or in a supermarket – has also improved since the previous research. In 2023, respondents were more likely to report a negative than a positive experience of public fundraising. The latest findings show that this position has reversed, with people now more likely to report a positive (42%) experience than a negative one (31%). The findings underline the importance of charities continuing to invest in training, oversight and monitoring to ensure fundraising meets the public’s expectations. They build on the Fundraising Regulator’s work to improve fundraising standards across the sector, including its market inquiry into the use of subcontracting in face-to-face fundraising by charities and fundraising agencies. The research also demonstrates the value of the Fundraising Regulator’s badge in helping build public confidence. Almost one in five (17%) of respondents said they had seen the Fundraising Badge in the past 12 months. Nearly half (45%) said they would be more likely to donate to a charity displaying the Fundraising Regulator badge, highlighting the role it plays in reassuring donors that a charity is committed to high fundraising standards. Paul Winyard, Director of Policy at the Fundraising Regulator, said: “Fundraising is often the charity sector’s ‘shop window’ for the public, with every interaction an opportunity to build trust and inspire support. These findings show that when people have a positive fundraising experience, they are far more likely to continue supporting charities in the future. It’s encouraging to see improvements in the public’s experience of fundraising, particularly in areas that have historically attracted less favourable attention. That reflects the hard work and commitment the sector has shown to raising standards. “This progress is to be applauded, but as we can see from the research, there is more work to be done. Charities must continue to invest in strong oversight, effective training and responsible fundraising practices so the public can give with confidence and charities can continue to thrive.” q
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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, this 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. 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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BRITAIN’S LARGEST LISTED BUSINESSES GIVE LESS TO CHARITY DESPITE RECORD PROFITS [THE UK’S largest listed companies are giving less to charities
today than they did in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis, according to a new report. The Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) annual Corporate Giving Report analyses the charitable giving of the 100 largest UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Following the global financial crisis, giving by FTSE 100 companies equated to 1.7% of pre-tax profits (£1.84bn). This compares with just 0.8% most recently (£1.69bn). Combined profits have almost doubled since 2009. Inflation has exacerbated the decline further. To have kept up with inflation since 2009, donations would need to be 76% higher than current levels. Since 2022 when inflation peaked, it is estimated that charities have lost out on around £4bn in real terms. CAF, which helps businesses and individuals give more impactfully, found that most companies in the wider businesses community do not give, despite employees and consumers wanting them to do more. Only a quarter (27%) of UK businesses support charities in any way, with just 17% giving cash. However, two thirds of employees say they would like their employer to give to charity, and three quarters of consumers feel more favourable to businesses they can see doing good in their local areas. For businesses that do not give, only 18% said the main reason was because they did not have enough budget, while more than half (57%) said they had not considered it or do not see the benefit. Mark Greer, Managing Director of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “In 2009, when businesses were navigating a global financial crisis, they continued to give generously. Today it seems too many
organisations, including many of the largest companies, are reducing budgets, withholding data or failing to recognise the role business can play in supporting society. “When leaders put giving on the agenda, it becomes part of business strategy, culture and long-term planning, rather than something considered only when circumstances allow. “The opportunity is substantial. Had every FTSE 100 company met best practice and donated 1% of profits last year, charities would have received around £1bn more in funding, contributing to a stronger society that benefits businesses and the people in them. “Government has its role in shaping a stronger culture of giving. But at a time when charities are experiencing declining donations and rising demand, it has never been more important for business leaders to step up and play their part.” q
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CARERS NEED SOME TLC, TOO [ JOANNA LUMLEY, Patron of The Respite Association (TRA),
recently paid this tribute to carers: “Carers are my heroes: caring 24/7, week-in and week-out, often for years on end, with no breaks or holidays and no complaints.” Across the country there are thousands of unpaid carers; and since its formation in 2001 TRA has been supporting them to get a desperately needed break. John Turner, one of the charity’s two part-time staff, explained: “It doesn’t take a great deal to have an enormous impact on the lives of carers. They don’t see what they are doing as a burden because they are caring for someone that they love; but they just need a little rest.” “One lady, whose son is on the autistic spectrum, explained that he only sleeps for two hours per night, so that is all the sleep she gets, too. That lady just wanted a normal night’s sleep to catch up – while a gentleman in his seventies, caring for his wife who has dementia, wanted a weekend so he could go to his granddaughter’s first piano recital.” TRA also have three holiday facilities - in Cornwall, Wales and Yorkshire - where they give carers a week-long break by the seaside. A carer who had a break in the charity’s caravan at Rhyl wrote:
“We had the most amazing time on holiday – gutted to be home in fact. Whilst I was there I couldn't help thinking of you and what an amazing opportunity you gave us. Me and my family are extremely grateful and always will be. “The caravan was filled with lots of board games and books for both adults and children and we loved it. I usually don’t have time to read with my children or sit and do a jigsaw with them, but on holiday I did – everyday. And instead of dishing out medication of an evening I spent that time in the park with my family. “It was so good to just be out in the fresh air and actually taking in the sky! You allowed me to have uninterrupted quality time with my children and for that I’m truly thankful.” John explained “TRA offers something that you and I take for granted: a little bit of normality; enough to recharge the batteries and carry on caring. We have been incredibly fortunate that people have been very generous to us over the years, which has helped us to support thousands of carers and their families, and has provided a legacy of hope.” q
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THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF ENGLAND: CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION [
THE UK’S MEDICAL ROYAL COLLEGES play a pivotal role in safeguarding the standards of healthcare – and the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is our cornerstone of surgical excellence. Established by Royal Charter in 1800 and growing to become an international membership organisation, RCS England has evolved into the central authority in surgical education, training and professional development. Setting rigorous standards for surgical practice and accredited training programmes, the college advises government and healthcare institutions on clinical effectiveness – always and only focused on advancing good surgical outcomes for patients, their health and their quality of life. For legal professionals navigating clinical negligence, personal injury or regulatory cases, understanding the role of RCS England offers valuable insight into a vast range of activity underpinned by care for the patient. RCS England’s fundraising team said: “For many supporters of RCS England, their appreciation of our work takes the shape of a legacy or in-memory gift, and every year, an extraordinary range of our work is made possible by this generosity. With a tried-and-trusted record of working with pledgers to understand and guarantee their wishes, and showing our appreciation, the college is a safe pair of hands for any size of gift and every personal interest.” Even the cultural heritage of RCS England has been strengthened by pledgers’ generosity. The oldest painting in the college’s collections is King Henry VIII and the Barber Surgeons (pictured), attributed to the studio of
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Hans Holbein the Younger. This 1541 group portrait commemorates the union of the Barbers and Surgeons, with Henry VIII presenting a charter to Thomas Vicary, the first Master of the Company. The college’s version is a preparatory cartoon for the final painting, confirmed by radiographic evidence revealing transfer marks beneath the surface. The work features prominent royal physicians and surgeons, set against a backdrop of Tudor London. Professor Bertram Cohen CBE’s research authenticated its provenance, and his legacy gift ensures its preservation. Returned to public display in 2022, the painting is a reminder of the intertwined histories of visionary scientists and their patrons. q
HOSPICE AID UK – THE CHARITY THAT HELPS ALL UK HOSPICES [ HOSPICE AID UK was built around a
principle that still guides it today: hospices know what they need and our job is to help them get it quickly. The charity's CEO Jo Gratze said: “When a hospice contacts us about urgent equipment needs or emergency funding, we respond fast. That might mean funding a new specialist bed that helps someone spend their final days comfortably or emergency funding when unexpected needs arise – perhaps a hospice vehicle breaking down or essential equipment requiring urgent replacement. “Every grant we make comes from the kindness of people who understand that supporting hospices means supporting their entire community. Our donors include families who’ve experienced hospice care themselves, healthcare workers who know the challenges hospices face and simply compassionate people who want to help when it matters most. “Hospice AID UK gives help where it is needed, when it is needed!” q
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DOGS CAN TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF AUTISTIC PEOPLE [
DOGS FOR AUTISM is a pioneering charity transforming the lives of autistic people through highly-trained assistance dogs. Based in Hampshire, we provide life-changing partnerships to autistic children and adults across the UK, free of charge and tailored to each individual’s needs. Although understanding of neurodiversity is increasing, many autistic people still face daily barriers affecting confidence, communication and independence. Our assistance dogs offer consistent, practical support, accepting their handler exactly as they are and helping everyday life feel calmer, safer and more predictable. Our dogs are trained to support a wide range of needs, from road awareness and safety to deep pressure therapy during periods of overwhelm. They can interrupt repetitive behaviours, help their handler leave overwhelming environments and provide reassurance during heightened anxiety. Our dogs are also trained to sense emotional changes early, giving a subtle cue before a meltdown so situations can be managed before reaching crisis point. Each dog is carefully prepared for their future partner, ensuring every partnership is built to last. The impact is far-reaching: calmer homes, safer outings, fewer crisis moments and renewed confidence, opening up everyday experiences once thought impossible. By providing practical early intervention, we also help reduce pressure on public services. As a small charity with increasing demand, gifts in wills are crucial to our long-term impact. By leaving a legacy to Dogs for Autism, you help secure the future of our work, enabling more autistic people to receive highlytrained assistance dogs and lifelong support. q • For further information visit dogsforautism.org.uk or call 01420 629390.
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CHARITABLE GIFTS LEFT IN WILLS TOP £100m MILESTONE, NEW DATA REVEALS [THE AMOUNT PLEDGED to charities through wills in 2025 surpassed
£100m according to new data, highlighting the enduring generosity of people choosing to support good causes beyond their lifetime. The insights, provided by Co-op Legal Services, found that the estimated value of charitable gifts pledged through wills reached £102.1m in 2025, a 6% increase on the £95.8m recorded the previous year. The number of wills containing a charitable gift also increased by 5%, demonstrating continued growth in legacy giving. Cancer charities remain the most popular cause for legacy gifts, followed by other health-related charities and emergency rescue organisations. Animal welfare, mental health and disability charities also featured prominently among the causes people chose to support. While many people choose to leave a cash sum or share of their estate, some gifts reflect lifelong passions and interests. Among the quirkier items gifted to charities in 2025 were a steam locomotive, a record collection, a swinging chair and a boat. Additionally, the research found that the average amount those with a will expect to pass on to beneficiaries is £260,000, with approximately one in eight (12%) anticipating leaving £500,000 or more. The findings were released to align with September’s Remember A Charity Week – the annual awareness campaign that encourages people to consider leaving a gift to charity alongside providing for family and loved ones. James Antoniou, Head of Estate Planning at Co-op Legal Services, said: “Leaving a gift to charity in a will is a powerful way to create a lasting impact on the causes that matter most to you. It’s encouraging
to see both the number and value of charitable gifts in wills continuing to grow, showing that people are increasingly conscious of the difference they can make for future generations. “What’s particularly striking is the variety of gifts being left behind. From treasured collections to unique personal possessions, these donations often tell a story about an individual’s passions, interests and values, while providing important support to charities across the UK.” Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, said: “These figures are a powerful reminder of just how philanthropic the nation is, even in such challenging times. Remembering good causes alongside our loved ones in a will has become such a vital and deeply valued form of giving. “And behind every legacy gift is a story and a desire to make a positive difference to the communities and causes that have touched people’s lives. “This Remember A Charity Week, we’re celebrating the impact of each and every gift in a will, encouraging more people to consider the lasting impact they could have by including their favourite charity in their will.” A gift in a will can take a variety of forms, including a fixed cash amount, a specific item or a percentage of an estate. Many charities rely on legacy gifts to help fund vital services, research and community support, making them an important source of long-term income. q • For more information about including a charitable gift in a will visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk.
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A SMALL CHARITY WITH A HUGE HEART [
KIDNEY KIDS SCOTLAND, a very small charity with a huge heart, has for the last 26 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
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 425 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 6,800 children to date. ZANE also funds education programmes including the provision of pop-up classrooms in a high-density township 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 a country in crisis. With some of the highest inflation and unemployment rates in the world, Zimbabwe’s economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Coupled with a woefully inadequate healthcare system, the need for ZANE is greater than ever for 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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GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE LAUNCHED FOR WEALTH ADVISERS [REMEMBER A CHARITY has launched a good practice guide
for wealth advisers designed to help them confidently incorporate charitable legacies into wealth planning discussions and better support their clients’ philanthropic ambitions. The new guide, Integrating Charitable Legacies into Wealth Planning, provides insights and practical tools to help advisers initiate and navigate conversations around legacy giving, particularly in the context of estate planning, succession and long-term wealth strategies. Developed in collaboration with Boon Philanthropy Consultancy and Boodle Hatfield, and with input from a host of industry experts, the guide comes at a time when charities are increasingly looking to engage high value supporters with legacies. Charitable legacies represent a significant and growing area of giving, with an estimated £4.4bn donated to UK charities last year through gifts in wills. Remember A Charity’s 2025 study into the high net worth legacy market found that half of UK millionaires have already included a charitable gift in their will, with many more intending to do so, conveying the opportunity for growth. What’s more, research from the Charities Aid Foundation shows that 93% of clients who discussed philanthropy with a professional adviser found the conversation beneficial. Further economic modelling indicates that firms having such conversations about philanthropy could increase client lifetime value by almost 25% over ten years. And yet, legacy giving conversations are rarely a core component of mainstream wealth planning services. The new guide aims to address this gap, equipping advisers with some key principles for discussing philanthropy with clients, conversation starters and practical tips to help them incorporate these discussions into client relationships. It highlights how advisers can play a pivotal role, not as philanthropy specialists, but as trusted
professionals who are well-placed to explore client values, open up legacy conversations and connect clients with the right expertise where needed. For charities, greater confidence among advisers in raising legacy giving could help bring charitable giving into more conversations about estate planning and the future of clients’ wealth. Clare Stirzaker, Private Wealth Partner at Boodle Hatfield and Chair of Remember A Charity’s Wealth Adviser Committee, said: “In recent years, I have seen a marked shift in what clients are looking for from their advisers. The traditional, purely technical approach to philanthropy is no longer enough on its own. Increasingly, clients want something more holistic. They want advisers who can help them explore what matters to them, articulate the purpose of their wealth, and understand the impact they hope to have during their lifetime and beyond it.” q
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EQUINE CHARITY REQUESTS SUPPORT TO CONTINUE ITS VITAL WORK [
THE HORSE RESCUE FUND is a long-established equine charity which, in 2025, celebrated 75 years of service to equine welfare. Founded when many deliveries were still using horses, the charity stepped in to save many from a bleak fate rather than imaginary happy retirement. The charity has a colourful history of pioneering work in changing attitudes towards equine welfare and transportation. In the years since the Walbancke family established the charity, hundreds of horses have been given a second chance at life. From beginning in their back garden to the purpose-built yard occupied today, the ethos has remained the same – Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome. The charity currently has over 60 horses out in homes and can house up to 20 horses, ponies or donkeys on the yard. These horses, once in their care, are treated as individuals – staying at the yard until they are emotionally and physically ready for rehoming. As a smaller charity, although not trying to turn over numbers they can make a real difference to the individual horse, offering a lifetime of ongoing care and support. Last winter stretched the charity’s resources considerably. Due to the poor harvest the price of hay and straw rocketed. Feed prices increased, as did the cost of providing all the care needed for the successful rehabilitation of all the rescued equines. The fund is now suffering from the effects of the recent heatwaves. No rain means no grass growth, so even more expensive hay has to be fed as a substitute for the natural forage. The charity has recently launched its monthly lottery, with big prizes and free membership of the Gourmet Society on offer. Full details of the lottery or how to simply donate can be found on the Horse Rescue Fund social media and their website. q
OWL SANCTUARY WHERE CONSERVATION COMES FIRST [ESTABLISHED IN 2001, the Suffolk
Owl Sanctuary – known affectionately as S.O.S. – operates a comprehensive facility for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of owls and other birds of prey across East Anglia. It also promotes the need for the conservation of threatened raptor species throughout the UK with its Saving Britain’s Owls initiative. The S.O.S. 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 it receives every year as a result of road traffic accidents, mishaps, 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, whilst 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. operates a wild owl nest box scheme that includes building, locating, curating and repairing environmentally friendly nest boxes in appropriate locations to replace the gradual erosion of natural nesting sites. S.O.S. is funded purely by donations and, as a small charity, the legacies it receives play an important role in enabling it to sustain the resources needed to actively promote the conservation of owls and other birds of prey throughout the UK. q
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HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED – BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE [
PAWS2RESCUE has a simple mission: to help animals in need, continue, nothing will change. Our schools programme helps break wherever they are. Because the charity is entirely run by volunteers, this cycle by teaching children to love and respect all living creatures. every penny raised helps them continue this important work. If you'd Plus our veterinary scholarship programme helps young students in like to help create a kinder world for all creatures, remembering Romania by funding their qualification, so more vets are available to Paws2Rescue in your will means you’ll be helping to ease the suffering work in rural areas where animals need the most care. of animals for many years to come. “If you choose to leave a gift to Paws2Rescue, no matter how small, The charity’s Alison Standbridge said: “Even though we’re based in you can be sure that every penny will go towards helping dogs, cats the UK, we know that so many animals overseas face terrible neglect and other animals in need, both now and in the future. Thank you.” q and cruelty. That’s why, along with finding loving homes for over 7,000 unwanted dogs and cats in the UK, we also run international projects to help reduce animal suffering, especially in places like Romania, Moldova, Ukraine and Peru where animals often endure awful conditions. “Our goal is to ease the daily struggles these animals face by providing food, medical care and shelter. We also support rural shelters that really need help in areas where resources are limited and we’ve built our own sanctuary, to ensure traumatised animals can find peace, and set up our own vet clinics in areas where medical treatment was previously unavailable.” But unlike charities that simply rehome, their mission is to truly end this suffering. That’s why Paws2Rescue offers free neutering for stray and owned animals, helping to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens and encouraging owners to look after their pets’ health. To date, the charity has spayed an incredible 18,000 animals. Assuming each animal would have twelve puppies a year, that has prevented well over two million unwanted animals being born since their inception in 2013! So, while being focused on helping animals in need wherever they can right now, their dream is to create a world where there simply are no more unwanted animals. Alison added: “Education is a big part of our mission. If young people grow up with Odin before being rescued – and now in his forever home the same old attitudes that allow cruelty to
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LEGACIES IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES [
PEOPLE THINK OF A LEGACY as organising finances to look after their loved ones. What we normally don’t think about is that a legacy is also the impact we have on people’s lives – the wonderful memories we create over our lifetimes. Will you write a gift in your Will to Haven House Children’s Hospice? You would be leaving a lasting legacy to local families who we support. Being told that your child is seriously ill is devastating. That is why Haven House is here. Our support is a vital lifeline to 461 children and their families in our local community. Our care is unique, just like our families. Our compassionate, physical and practical care helps these extraordinary children make the most of every day. Many families are left to cope on their own, which can place immense strain on them, compounded by the anxiety that accompanies a serious illness.
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After remembering your loved ones, a gift in your Will to Haven House will make sure that, for families who feel alone, we are there so they will have the best possible support. No matter how big or small, a gift in your Will is a wonderful act of kindness that will enable families to have the support they desperately need. Everyone who leaves a gift in their Will to Haven House is acknowledged with a gold leaf on our tree of recognition, along with a message of thanks. Make your Will for free online in three easy steps. By leaving a gift in your Will, we will be able to continue supporting seriously ill children. q • To find out more please visit www.havenhouse.org.uk/will or call 020 8498 5841.
REGULATOR CONCLUDES INVESTIGATION INTO FOUR CHARITIES AS CLASS INQUIRY CONTINUES [
IN MAY 2025, the Charity Commission launched a statutory class inquiry after 105 charities were found to have issued cheques that were then exchanged for cash to a value of £22m between December 2021 and March 2023. Charities have entered the inquiry in tranches. The Commission has now confirmed it has concluded its investigation into four charities that were part of that inquiry. These are: The Z.S.V. Trust, Bnois Jerusalem Schools, Forty Limited and Friends Of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz. The Commission found evidence that all four charities issued open cheques between December 2021 and March 2023. Over the course of its investigation, the Commission was satisfied that each charity was undertaking charitable activities in line with their charitable purposes. However, the regulator has made a finding of misconduct and/or mismanagement in all four cases as the use of blank or open cheques is high risk and lacks the effective oversight of charitable spending that the regulator would expect from trustees. Since opening the investigation, all
four charities have confirmed to the Commission that blank or open cheques are no longer used. The regulator has issued those charities that are still operating with a Regulatory Action Plan to address governance weaknesses and make improvements to their internal financial controls. Trustees have also been given regulatory advice and guidance to help them to improve how their charity is run. As part of its inquiry, the Commission has exchanged information with other government departments. Before the inquiry opened, Friends of Yeshiva Daas Sholem Shotz appointed a whole new trustee board who determined the charity could not operate. As such, the
regulator, after engaging with trustees, helped them to wind up the charity. It has since been removed from the public register. The regulator provided the trustees with advice and guidance to help them understand their responsibilities should they apply to be a trustee of another charity in the future. The Commission has now concluded its engagement with these charities. Its statutory class inquiry, which several other charities remain a part of, is ongoing while the regulator continues to examine the evidence and consider the appropriate action or response. It is the Commission’s usual policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing the issues examined, any action taken and the inquiry’s outcomes. q
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WHERE WE’VE BEEN, WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO [IN THE BEGINNING, The Fox Project operated from a garden
shed where, if they were hard pressed, two or three fox cubs might be under their care. Fast forward 34 years and you find them spread over multiple sites with an annual rescue total of over 1,400 foxes. Currently, the operation revolves around a hospital unit in Paddock Wood near Tunbridge Wells in Kent and a cub unit at nearby Pembury – both rented – plus around 20 home foster units run by volunteers. The system works well, but capacity is reaching its limit and building their own hospital would allow the charity to bring together the main units with a small office, overnight staff quarters, storage space and a workshop. While the hospital project is vital to their future, and to the futures of countless sick and injured foxes and orphaned cubs, they have no illusions that some of them will have more grey hair at the end than they started out with! Just finding a place to call home will be the first hurdle. Affording it will be the next. Although the proceeds of a couple of significant legacies have been ring fenced for the purpose, the charity find themselves competing for land that keeps rising in value – and against housing developers and property investors who, inevitably, have more funds and resources available than they do. Your legacy could help swing the odds in their favour and guarantee The Fox Project and its many patients a secure future. 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 rehoming centre in Kent, giving hope and a true 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 Pixie future to continue our work.” q
PICKING UP THE PIECES: ANIMAL RESCUE UNDER PRESSURE [HOPE RESCUE are committed to taking all the stray dogs from
six local authorities in South Wales – Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and the western half of the Vale of Glamorgan, resulting in around 1,000 dogs a year entering the rescue centre. That’s three dogs a day on average. With only half of stray dogs being collected by their owner, every single day Hope Rescue are picking up the pieces. Resources are being stretched, but they are determined to be there for every dog that needs them. Head of Operations Sara Rosser said: “This is my 25th year working in animal rescue and I’ve never known it as busy as it is now. We have seen a rise in elderly and sick dogs being deliberately abandoned, which is heartbreaking. The dogs deserve so much better than being deserted when they are most in need of support. “With an increase in medical care and the cost of everything going up and up, we really need your support more than ever. “If you’re interested in helping, please consider volunteering, fostering, adopting or donating – get in touch with the team via the email below. Together we can make sure that no dog is left behind.” q • Find out more about how you can support Hope Rescue at www.hoperescue.org.uk or contact fundraising@hoperescue.org.uk.
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FUNDRAISING REGULATOR PUBLISHES NEW GUIDE TO HELP CHARITIES COMPLY WITH CHARITABLE PURPOSES SOFT OPT-IN [
THE FUNDRAISING REGULATOR has published a new practical guide to charitable purposes soft opt-in to help charities comply with the recent change to direct electronic marketing law. The guide also helps charitable fundraising organisations comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice (the code) and the law, whenever they are carrying out fundraising marketing. The new guide sits alongside the Fundraising Regulator’s recent publication on data privacy and fundraising and complements the regulatory guidance on direct electronic mail marketing published by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the regulator of information rights in the UK. The charitable purposes soft opt-in provision provides charities with a new way of sending direct electronic fundraising marketing to charity supporters. As long as all the necessary legal criteria are met, marketing, such as by email and text, can now be sent to charity supporters without their consent unless they opt out. The guide takes a user-friendly and practical approach to helping charities implement the charitable purposes soft opt-in provision by including realistic examples of how to use it lawfully and responsibly. Taking a step-by-step approach, the guide helps charities carefully consider if the new soft opt-in is right for them, their supporters and beneficiaries before implementing it. This includes assessing the potential impact of sending marketing to recipients, carrying out appropriate legitimate interest assessments, reviewing their data policies and processes, making sure relevant staff and volunteers are trained in the new provision, and regularly monitoring its use to ensure compliance. Although charitable purposes soft opt-in is only available to organisations recognised as charities in law, the guide is also relevant to organisations that carry out fundraising marketing more broadly. It covers the use of personal data in marketing, telephone and postal marketing, donor prospect research, as well as direct electronic mail This publication follows recent changes to electronic marketing legislation and forms part of the Fundraising Regulator’s wider programme of compliance support to fundraising organisations in meeting the requirements of the code. Gerald Oppenheim, CEO of the Fundraising Regulator, said: “The introduction of charitable purposes soft opt-in is a significant development for charities carrying out fundraising marketing. “While the new provision may provide additional opportunities for some organisations to engage with supporters, charities must understand the legal requirements and consider carefully whether using soft opt-in is appropriate for their circumstances. “Our new guide is designed to help charities navigate these changes confidently and responsibly. It reinforces the importance of fundraising
that is legal, open, honest and respectful, while providing practical information about fundraising marketing and the standards we expect organisations to meet. “Charities should use the guide alongside the Information Commissioner’s Office regulatory guidance and seek specialist advice where appropriate.” q • Read the new guide at www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/ about-fundraising/resources/charitable-purposes-soft-opt-andfundraising-marketing.
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 7,800 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. They now provide boarding and cremation services with profits supporting the Rescue. 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
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VALUE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT TO AVOID BLIND SPOTS, GUIDE URGES CHARITY LEADERS [CHARITY CHIEF EXECUTIVES and chairs should value diversity
of background and thought to prevent blind spots and groupthink, new guidance has said. The Association of Chairs has published an updated version of its free A Question of Balance guidance regarding relationships between charity chief executives and chairs. The guidance identifies 10 key areas where chairs and chief executives need to consider the balance in their working partnership, with further sections on strategies for action, working well together and problem solving. According to the guidance: “If you and your CEO have different backgrounds, experiences and ways of looking at the world, it may take time and intentional effort to understand and find the best ways of relating to each other. “In our increasingly polarised world, feeling at odds with your counterpart and working to create common ground can be a really core issue for chair-CEO duos. “Having a similar perspective on life or coming from similar backgrounds and lived experiences can help you feel aligned with each other and make it easier to make decisions “However, it can also result in blind spots and unconscious bias, leading to being closed to other perspectives.
“Oversight and supervision by the chair during the development of a high-risk project can be experienced by the CEO as overanxious meddling when the CEO has put in place appropriate risk management and reporting processes. “But equally, taking responsibility for an area of operational work when there is very limited capacity and capability can be particularly helpful. “But for this approach to work, it requires an agreement that in this regard only the chair is accountable to the CEO – while in governance mode, it’s the other way round. “What is vital is for the chair and CEO to work and develop understanding of each other’s style and pace.” Liz Lowther, Chief Executive of the Association of Chairs, said the board, executive and organisation could be hugely affected when things went wrong between the chair and chief executive. “On the other hand, when a chair and CEO work well together, it can lead to better governance, enhanced leadership and a stronger, more resilient charity,” she said. “This guide can help chairs and CEOs work towards having a great partnership together.” q • For further information visit www.associationofchairs.co.uk.
EVERY DOG MATTERS – MAKING THEIR WORLD A BETTER PLACE [BIRMINGHAM DOGS HOME is a charity that has been serving the
West Midlands community for over 130 years since it was founded in 1892, and they have always provided homeless dogs with a refuge and a place to feel safe. From humble beginnings it is now proud to be the largest dog rescue charity in the region, operating from two rescue centres. The charity’s gifts in wills and in-memory officer Jilly Winstone said: “We care for over 2,000 homeless dogs every year, and our vision is for every dog to be cared for with kindness and empathy, so that they can lead a happy, fulfilled life, feeling safe and loved. “We believe that every dog matters, which is why our teams work tirelessly, every day, to relieve suffering and help every dog we can, whilst providing medical care, emotional support and training as well as food, shelter and love. Most of the dogs we care for have been abandoned and come to us as strays through the local community and local authorities. “Birmingham Dogs Home do not receive any government funding and rely solely on the generosity and kindness of the community we serve. “We are very proud of all we have achieved, but are only able to continue providing these life-changing and life-saving services thanks to the very special people who kindly remember us in their wills, as a cause close to their heart. “We have now also launched our Forever Friends service which can provide you with the reassurance that our charity can continue to care for your dog in the event of your passing. This is a free service and many supporters who sign up also choose to leave a gift in their will to Birmingham Dogs Home. “Every dog matters – thank you for helping to make the world a better place for them.” q
• Please be a part of our future by remembering us in your will today. Visit birminghamdogshome.org.uk/support-us/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/
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CHARITIES STICK TO ESG INVESTMENT FOCUS DESPITE PRESSURE TO BOOST RETURNS [
MOST UK CHARITIES expect Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues to become even more important over the next three years, with many planning stricter exclusion policies and placing growing emphasis on the social impact of their investments, according to research from Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading charity wealth managers. This is despite pressure to relax policies in pursuit of higher returns. The survey of senior executives at charities with a collective £5bn of equity investments found nearly nine out of 10 (86%) say it is important that investments have strong ESG credentials and 89% believe the importance of ESG will increase over the next three years. That includes 22% who say ESG will become significantly more important when considering investments. The ESG stance is being maintained despite 76% of charities reporting that they are coming under pressure to relax ESG policies in order to deliver higher returns needed to maintain services. Kate Elliot, Head of Responsible Investment Centre of Excellence at Rathbones, said: “It is clear that charities are sticking to their guns on ESG investing despite growing talk about an ESG backlash or the need to compromise ESG principles in order to achieve higher returns. “Charities are very much committed to delivering on their values, and ESG investing is central to that as demonstrated by their plans to toughen up exclusion lists and to work with investment advisers that can meet their ethical standards. It is not a regulatory box-ticking issue for charities but central to their mission and purpose, helping them align their investments with the causes and communities they exist to support.” Charities questioned are also planning to toughen up their investment exclusion policies with two out of three (67%) saying policies will become stricter over the next two years. Just 27% say exclusion policies will become looser. Only around a quarter (26%) questioned said they are currently very concerned about their adviser's ability to meet ethical requirements compared with 59% who said the same in Rathbones’ research last year. More than four out of five (85%) say investment advisory firms’ ESG credentials are important in the selection process, and almost all (97%) say ESG credentials will become even more important in the next three years. There are signs of change in how charities address ESG from the research with a growing focus on the social part over the next two years when selecting funds and investments. Around nine out of 10 (87%) say their charity’s focus on Social investments will increase over the period compared with 73% saying the same about Environmental and 79% about Governance.
The research found that nearly a third (31%) of charities had toughened up exclusion lists over the past two years with just 3% cutting back and 66% maintaining lists. Almost all (94%) believe they are very or quite effective at screening out investments. q • Rathbones has been managing money for charities for more than 100 years and supports more than 3,000 organisations nationwide. For further information visit www.rathbones.com.
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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A FUTURE OF HOPE FOR HORSES [FOR horse welfare charity
Welfare family. At just seven World Horse Welfare, every hands high, this Shetland horse matters. For almost 100 charms everyone he meets – years, their global mission has and has a very bright future been to put the horse at the ahead of him. centre of how people think, act Pickle is just one of and care for them. thousands of horses, ponies, The charity’s work tackles donkeys and mules with every aspect of horse welfare similar stories. Thanks for every kind of horse. As well to the charity’s generous Pickle was unable to stand when found (left) and (right) the future looks bright supporters, World Horse as being at the forefront of for Pickle thanks to World Horse Welfare the rescue, rehabilitation and Welfare will never stop rehoming of vulnerable horses across the UK, they are active among working to improve the welfare of horses. local communities across the globe who rely on working horses, ponies, The charity’s vision is for a world where every horse is treated donkeys and mules. with respect, compassion and Furthermore, their research and education work helps shift understanding. Founded in 1927 by perspectives on how the world thinks about horse-human relationships Ada Cole (right) as a campaigning and is at the forefront of shaping better, fairer policy for horses tomorrow. organisation to prevent the live export This work matters for horses like tiny Shetland Pickle. He was of horses from Britain to slaughter, discovered by World Horse Welfare Field Officer Charlotte Melvin last they remain a leading voice for horses, year. He was so weak that he was unable to stand and could barely taking great pride in being realistic, breathe. Once rescued, Pickle tested positive for multiple illnesses, compassionate and forward-thinking. including strangles, equine flu and salmonella. He was so ill that he A future of hope for horses kept collapsing and very nearly didn’t make it. everywhere is their promise and by When Pickle was strong enough, he was taken into the care of leaving a gift in your will – of any size, World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre no matter how big or small – it will become part of your legacy too. near Blackpool – one of four centres run by the charity throughout the They will continue to be there for vulnerable horses in need. q UK. Pickle is now thriving, is surrounded by expert care and kindness, and has a lifelong promise of security as part of the World Horse • For further information please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org.
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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
HAPPA 8/9
The British Association for Cancer Research 2
Animal Action Greece 10
Cancer Prevention Research Trust 6
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 11
Royal College for Surgeons 16
Tiggywinkles 12
Hospice Aid UK 17
The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund 12
Pain Relief Foundation 18
Catholic Concern for Animals 13
CLEFT 21
Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation 19
Sight Research UK 36
The Horse Rescue Fund 22 Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 22 Paws2Rescue 23 The Fox Project 26/27 Last Chance Animal Rescue 28 Hope Rescue 28 Shire Horse Society 29
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE Kidney Kids Scotland 20 Haven House Children’s Hospice 24
Three Counties Dog Rescue 29 The Retreat Animal Rescue 30
HEALTH & DISABILITY
Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society 30 Birmingham Dogs Home 31 Ferne Animal Sanctuary 32 Beneath the Wood Sanctuary 32 Heartbeat Home for Horses 33 British Chelonia Group 33 World Horse Welfare 34
Independent Diabetes Trust 2 The Partially Sighted Society 6 National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 7 The Respite Association 14/15 Dogs for Autism 18
ENVIRONMENT ISSUES
OVERSEAS AID ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 20
Eden Project 25
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