Gifts in wills have always played an important part in funding vital neurological research. Typically, they represent a third of our income.
Today, one in six of us has a neurological condition. Every 90 seconds someone is
admitted to hospital with a brain injury. And more under 40s are killed by brain tumours than by any other cancer. But that does not have to be the reality for future generations.
By including a gift in your will to Brain Research UK, you’re creating hope for future generations of people affected by neurological conditions by funding vital research, helping them live better, longer.
"I’m not a scientist, but I needed to play my part in creating hope for other families affected by neurological conditions. So I chose to pledge a gift in my will to Brain Research UK."
- Miles
There are three types of gifts you can include in your will:
1. A residuary legacy is where you donate a percentage of your estate (everything you own), once family members and friends are provided for and money owed is deducted.
2. A pecuniary legacy is a gift of a fixed sum of money.
3. A specific legacy is a gift of a particular item, such as jewellery, a car or property.
To make sure we receive your gift, you'll need to include our name, address and
registered charity number.
Name: Brain Research UK
Address: Fifth Floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London WC1V 7QH
Registered charity number: 1137560
Yes – our will-writing service allows you to use one of our trusted legal partners to write a simple will for free. While you do not have to include Brain Research UK in your will in order to use this service, we hope that you will consider a gift to us once friends and family have been provided for.
Most gifts you leave in your will to Brain Research are exempt from tax. We usually receive the full amount. Your gift may also bring the total value of your estate below the Inheritance Tax threshold. We recommend you talk to a solicitor for more details on tax exemptions and benefits or visit How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
You don't need to be rich to leave a charitable gift in your will. Leaving just a small percentage (called a residuary legacy) to Brain Research UK goes a long way.
These gifts are inflation proof and exempt from inheritance tax. No matter the size or amount, your gift will help fund vital future scientific research.
This decision is up to you. We'll be delighted if you do get in touch to let us know – it'll allow us to thank you and help us plan for the future. To contact us, please call 020 7404 9982 or email us at legacies@brainresearchuk.org.uk. Any information you give us will be kept in strict confidence and you can change your mind at any time.
It’s a good idea to review your will regularly to make sure it still reflects your wishes, especially if your personal circumstances have changed. For example, marriage, divorce or separation, a new arrival or death in your family, moving house, moving abroad or a change in your financial circumstances can all affect your will.
Your solicitor or will-writer may offer to keep your original will as part of their
service. Make sure you keep a copy along with any other useful information that will help your executors fulfil your wishes, like your pension and bank account details.
Executors can be anyone over the age of 18. You can choose friends, family
members or your solicitor. And it’s best to name at least two people in case one is unable to act for you.
If you have any questions about writing your will or including a gift to Brain Research UK, please do get in touch. To contact us, please call 020 7404 9982 or email us at legacies@brainresearchuk.org.uk.
We also have a will-writing information pack that you can download here.
