Leaving a gift in your Will
Change a child’s tomorrow, today
Leave a gift that brings independence, confidence, and joy to children’s lives.
By leaving a gift to Newlife in your Will, you can bring hope, joy and new opportunities for disabled children for years to come.
Your Will can be written on your own terms, in your own time. Our free online Will writing service is easy and only takes around 15 minutes to complete. Our expert partner, Octopus Legacy, ensures your Will is legally binding to give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order.
Why leave a gift in your Will to Newlife?
Your Gift Can Make a Lasting Difference
Every legacy gift helps provide specialist equipment and support for children with disabilities. Even a small gift can make a real difference:
- 1%, £50, £5,000 or more – every contribution adds up to change lives
- Gifts in wills help us plan for the future and reach more children in need.
How to leave a gift
- Decide the type of gift: specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or residual gift.
- Choose whether to use your own solicitor or our free service through Octopus Legacy.
- Prepare your information before writing your will.
Top 10 things to prepare before writing your Will
- List all your assets (bank accounts, property, savings, investments)
- Note any debts or liabilities
- Decide who will be your executor(s)
- List beneficiaries and what you want each to receive
- Consider guardianship if you have children
- Think about charitable gifts and amounts
- Include funeral wishes
- Gather relevant documents (titles, policies, bank details)
- Decide on residual gifts (what’s left after specific gifts)
- Review existing wills or codicils to avoid conflicts
Your FREE Will service
Thanks to our partnership with Octopus Legacy, you can create a legally valid will free of charge.
- Free Wills Month takes place in March and October, but the service is available all year round.
- Whether using your own solicitor or our free service, leaving a gift in your will is easy, secure, and legally valid.
Real stories, real impact
Meet Elizabeth: A life changed by supporters like you
Elizabeth received a specialist car seat and buggy, to allow her to go for days out with her family whilst being pain free.
Aged three, Elizabeth was diagnosis with Rett Syndrome, a rare neurological and development disorder which affects the way the brain develops.
The condition was affecting Elizabeth’s mobility, making it much harder for her to go anywhere with her family. Newlife stepped in to provide a specialised car seat to give her the extra support when travelling, so she is pain free. Having the right equipment for her current needs means that Elizabeth can now safely attend school and medical appointments easily and enjoy days out with her family, all while being comfortable.
“Car journeys in her old car seat were causing Elizabeth pain due to the deterioration in her condition and meant she was no longer supported in the right way, leaving her sitting too far back while leaning forward which put her spine at risk of developing a permanent curve. She needed a different car seat with extra support at the sides as well as a footrest to take the weight of her legs, so she is kept in the right position while she is sitting. Having the right equipment to meet her needs right now has made such a big difference.”
Heather, Elizabeth’s Mum
Olive’s gift: A legacy left with love
Olive’s legacy continues to help children experience independence, freedom and new opportunities. These gifts create lasting memories and transform futures.
Olive understood the importance of having the right equipment and being independent, being disabled from birth herself. She wanted to leave a gift to Newlife in her Will, so that others could enjoy a better future.
“Olive liked everyone to be happy. She was a thoughtful lady and wanted her money to help others. As a family we have also benefitted from Newlife, as Olive’s great-grandnephew Oscar received a car seat recently. It’s wonderful that Olive’s legacy will help other children get the equipment they really need.”
Teresa, Olive’s Aunt
Contact us
We’re always here to help
If you have questions about leaving a gift in your will, our friendly legacy team is here to help.
For any queries, please contact Ruth Lister, Newlife’s Legacy Specialist, by emailing rlister@newlifecharity.co.uk or phoning the team on 01543 468888.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to write a Will?
A Will makes sure your loved ones are taken care of and your wishes are clear. It makes things simpler for those you leave behind at an already difficult time. If you don’t make a Will, the government decides how to share out your estate and the people you care about may not benefit. You also can’t leave money to charity without a Will.
Should I tell you if I've left a gift in my Will to Newlife?
Your will is a personal document and you’re under no obligation to tell us anything. But if you do feel comfortable sharing your intentions with us, we would really like the opportunity to say thank you!
Can you tell me about the types of gift I can leave in my Will?
There are three main types of gift which you can leave:
- A percentage or all of your estate (the money and property you own once all other payments, gifts or deductions have been made).
- A fixed amount of money.
- A specific item of value such as possessions, property of shares.
Does my gift have to be a large sum of money?
We’re grateful for gifts of any size and even 1% of your estate or a small gift can make a really big difference, helping us support future generations of disabled children and their families.
How to Leave a Legacy Gift
Including a Legacy in a new Will
When it comes to writing or updating your Will, we always recommend seeking expert legal advice. You can find a solicitor in England or Wales by contacting The Law Society on 020 7242 1222. You can also print off our ‘suggested wording’ for different types of legacy gift to take to your solicitor.
Amending an existing Will to include a Legacy Gift
If you have already made your Will, the easiest way to include a gift is to use a Codicil Form. Then all you have to do is return it to your solicitor for it to be added to your Will.
Information you need for making your Will
If you’ve already decided you’d like to include a gift to Newlife in your Will, thank you! The most important information you need is:
- Our registered charity number: 1170125
- Our name: Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children
- Our registered address: Newlife centre, Hemlock Way, Cannock WS11 7GF
If you have any questions about gifts in Wills and Newlife’s work, call us for a confidential chat on 01543 462 777 or email Sarah at ssylvester@newlifecharity.co.uk.
Find a solicitor near you
You can find a solicitor in your area by contacting The Law Society on 020 7242 1222.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about leaving a gift in your Will, please email Ruth Lister rlister@newlifecharity.co.uk or phone 01543 468888 for a confidential chat.