Remember a Charity Week UK
Today is the first day of Remember a Charity Week in the UK. We’re thrilled to once again partner with this meaningful initiative – creating an opportunity for everyone to take a moment to consider leaving a gift to charity in their Will, after remembering family and friends.
This year’s campaign celebrates the funny moments, interesting hobbies and unique quirks that we remember and cherish about our loved ones, and I wanted to take this moment to share a few with you that have stayed with me, from over the years….
I remember my wonderful father who taught me the meaning of tenacity and always said throughout my life, ‘don’t tell me how you can’t do a thing, tell me how you can.’ His words saw me (admittedly irritatingly on occasion) never taking no for an answer.
Our beloved rescued bear, Andrew, was a teacher too and taught me so much about this stoic, forgiving species of moon bears. The inscription on his grave reminds me of everything we learned from this beautiful soul, ‘we are not weaker without you, but stronger because of you.‘
And when I think of my dog Eddie – a rescued dog from a live animal market in Asia, I think of a friend whose unruly fur and nature made me laugh constantly in his presence. He was recruited to our Dr Dog programme, founded to inspire the human animal bond, but in reality he was the worst Dr Dog ambassador on the planet. Eddie was a master of disobeying all the ‘rules’ and had only one priority on visits to hospitals, to steal as many treats as he could from the patients!
All of these stories have given me personal inspiration in writing a Will of my own – I want to help many more Andrews and Eddies into the future.
This week is special for many reasons – it talks about a kind of giving that can often be overlooked for fear of talking about that sensitive word… ‘death’. But perhaps in life, we might all acknowledge that really, a Will is a story of life. It’s our last legacy that can ensure kindness can live on in what we leave behind. It can provide our family with safety, security and important peace of mind, while also ensuring some of the projects we’ve supported so passionately all throughout our lifetime can continue to thrive in our name.
Here at Animals Asia, Gifts in Wills currently funds one in six of our vital projects. With three bear sanctuaries to run across Vietnam and China (that’s just under 300 hungry mouths to feed!), as well as ground-breaking projects for cats, dogs, elephants and other wild animals across the continent, this funding is crucial for so many desperate animals in need.
Over the years, through some of the toughest crises we have faced, Gifts in Wills have proven to be a lifeline to us – and meant that suddenly the impossible became possible. They have allowed us to dream big for ourselves, and even bigger for the animals we save in future.
That’s why this week is also a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all the incredible gifts we have received over the years from people who have so kindly pledged a gift to us in their Will since our work began 27 years ago. It is in their memory, that we continue to fight every day to make this world a kinder place, for animals and humans alike.
If you are interested in leaving a lasting legacy this Remember a Charity Week, we’re pleased to be working with expert estate planners, Octopus Legacy who can help you write or update your Will free of charge.
The cost of your Will is covered by us up to £150 – so you can write or update a simple Will for free or get a Will with trust at a discounted rate.
How to write or update your Will
Find the right Will for you. You can write your Will:
- Online
- Over the phone/video call
- In-person (at home or in-branch)
Start your Will here today.
Or call Octopus Legacy directly on 020 4525 3605 and quote ANIMALSASIAFREE.
Many people who use this service choose to leave a gift in their Will to Animals Asia but there’s no obligation to do so.
As we celebrate Remember a Charity Week together, we are reminded that a Will is not only a reflection of the life we’ve lived, but also a chance to shape the future we leave behind. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission to protect animals and build a kinder world.
Get your free Gifts in Wills guide
Our comprehensive guide provides all the information you need to leave a legacy of compassion, including setting up a Will from scratch, amending your current Will, and frequently asked questions.