Leave St John Ambulance a gift in your Will

Making your Will is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. It ensures that your money and belongings will go to the people and causes you care about most.

Leaving a gift in your Will is straightforward. However, we recommend that you get advice from a legal professional, to ensure that your wishes are clear and can be carried out once you’re gone. This could be from your family solicitor, or one of our trusted partners who can help you write or update your Will for free.

If you aren’t sure where to start with including a gift in your will, our free guide can put you on the right track. Below, you can request a PDF of the guide by email or a paper copy delivered by post. Inside, you’ll find:

• more information about our free Will-writing services and the support available to you

• practical guidance on how to write or update your Will and things to consider, such as how leaving a gift affects inheritance tax

• details on how leaving a gift to St John Ambulance can make a lasting difference

• specific wording you'll need to include a gift to St John Ambulance in your Will.

• Estimate the potential value of your estate. This is everything you own (such as property, stocks, shares, savings, personal items), minus any outstanding liabilities (debts, such as a mortgage or loans). In some cases, inheritance tax may be payable.

• Think about what you would like to happen to your estate and what gifts you would like to make. In addition to providing for your family and friends, you may also choose to leave a gift in your Will to St John Ambulance, helping to save lives in the future.

• Think about how you’d like certain matters to be handled after your death. For example, appointing legal guardians for your children, and outlining any wishes for your funeral or memorial service.

• Choose your executor(s) - someone you trust to administer your estate and carry out your wishes when you are gone. Unfortunately, St John Ambulance is unable to act as an executor.

• You may want to talk to your family about your Will, to explain your wishes and hear their thoughts. Ensuring that the people closest to you know about your Will can be very beneficial. In our experience, most families are proud of the gifts their loved ones leave to St John Ambulance.

• A residuary gift is a percentage or share of your residual estate (i.e. what is left after other specified gifts, costs, debts and tax have been paid). It keeps pace with inflation.

• A pecuniary gift is a fixed sum of money. You can choose to leave any amount, but inflation will reduce its value. This means you may wish to review the gift from time to time.

• A specific gift is a particular item, such as property, jewellery, antiques, or shares.

• A reversionary gift allows a beneficiary to use your assets during their lifetime, for example living in a house or receiving investment income. After their death, all or part of the assets pass to your chosen charity.

To leave a gift to St John Ambulance, you'll need:

• Our registered charity number: 1077265/1.

• Our registered address: St John Ambulance, 27 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4BU.

Information for executors and solicitors.

We'll always treat any gift to St John Ambulance with the utmost respect.

• We understand that those you hold dear will always come first when making your Will. We fully respect this and will never try to change it.

• We respect that this is a big decision and extremely personal to you, so please take your time. We will never pressure you into making a decision, but we’re here to help you with any questions you may have. We also recommend that you discuss your plans with a loved one.

• We will always be discreet. You don't have to tell us if you have chosen to leave St John Ambulance a gift in your Will. However, if you are happy to let us know your intentions, it can help us to plan for the future. You can rest assured that we would keep your decision completely confidential.

• We promise to use your gift wisely, prudently, and where it will have the most impact. Every penny you give will help us train and equip the next generation of lifesavers, to provide vital first aid in the moments that matter.

• We understand that personal circumstances can change at any time. Your decision is not binding, and you can always change your mind about leaving us a gift.

• We will always treat you, and when the time comes, your family and representatives, with sensitivity and respect. We will answer all your questions fully, openly, and honestly.