Leave a lasting legacy

Warley Woods was created over 200 years ago by people who had the foresight to create a beautiful landscape, knowing they would never see it in its maturity.  Just over 100 years ago another group of people saved it from development so that it could remain a place of beauty for everyone. In 1997 the Community Trust was formed to stop its decline and restore its fortunes.

Each generation makes its own memories in Warley Woods and its own contribution to its future. You can play your part in this tradition by leaving a gift in your will and ensuring the future of Warley Woods and the Community Trust that manages it.

Leaving a will is about making a positive choice about the future and it ensures all of your possessions and assets are passed onto the people and charities that you choose. This is unlikely to happen if you do not make your wishes known. Without a will your choice is lost.

Many people give to charities throughout their lives and if this is the case, leaving a gift to Warley Woods would just be a natural continuation of your support. Not everyone has the ability to give during their lifetime, and in that case, providing a gift in your will is a very special opportunity.

Sometimes people are worried about leaving money in their will to charity, because they think this may take too much from what they leave to their family and loved ones, but you can ensure your wishes are followed exactly by leaving money in different ways. You can choose to leave a specific amount in your will or leave a percentage of the money that is left when all other bequests are dealt with. This means you can be sure family will be taken care of first. You can also leave a specific legacy of an amount or belonging or property with a specific use in mind. This means you can control how your money is used by the charity.

Another way to help is to ask that donations are made to Warley Woods after your death, perhaps in lieu of funeral flowers. All you need to do is tell your solicitor what you would like to happen and it can help them if you give them the charity number; for Warley Woods Community Trust this is 1092754.

Making a simple will does not need to be expensive and if you are over 55 then you may be able to get a simple will drawn up free of charge during “Free Wills Month” in October each year.  There are also other initiatives like “make a will week” and “Will Aid” where solicitors waive their fee in lieu of a donation. Warley Woods Community Trust is not directly involved in these initiatives.

For a successful future for Warley Woods, a keystone will be gifts left in wills. They will provide a regeneration fund to keep the site maintained at a high standard, ensuring the Trust can replace and renew items when they are needed. Gifts will be invested to ensure income for the long term – not just to meet the emergency needs of today. They will help bolster the Trust against reductions to grants and help it to be self funding.

You can help continue to make history at Warley Woods and ensure it is thriving for future generations to enjoy. When the time is right for you, we’d be grateful if you would consider leaving a lasting legacy, by leaving a gift in your will to Warley Woods Community Trust.