Thank you for considering leaving us a gift in your Will. Gifts in Wills fund over a third of our work, and allow us to continue investing in cutting-edge science to protect future generations.
We appreciate that writing or updating your Will can seem daunting, but we are here to support you at every step of your journey. Our free Gifts in Wills Guide contains all the information you'll need to write or update your Will. Request a guide below to find out more.
Get your free guideAn up-to-date Will gives you control. Without one, your estate could go to the government, not the people and causes you care about.
A Will makes it easier for your family and friends to carry out your wishes. It ensures your loved ones are protected, especially if you're not married or in a civil partnership.
A Will could help reduce the tax your estate pays.
Gifts of every size can help power progress and beat cancer for future generations. Many people significantly underestimate their assets. Our Will Planner(PDF) can help you work out exactly what you have to leave, and help you when preparing to write your Will.
After taking care of your loved ones you can choose which gift you would like to leave to Cancer Research UK.
You choose a percentage share of your estate to gift to charity. This type of gift is the most valuable because it’s inflation-proof.
A fixed amount that can lose its value over time as costs increase.
A particular item, such as a car, jewellery or property.
Step: 1
Think about everything you own (your estate and assets) and who you’d like to be your executor. Our Will planner may be helpful.
Download our Will planner(PDF, 1.96 MB)
Step: 2
For many people loved ones will come first, but we also hope you’ll consider leaving a gift to a charity like Cancer Research UK. With your help, we will write an end to cancer.
Step: 3
We would always recommend using a solicitor to write your Will to ensure all legal formalities are carried out correctly, and your Will is written and witnessed in a valid way.
Step: 1
It’s important to keep your Will up to date. If your circumstances have changed, it may be a good time to review your Will to make sure it still reflects your wishes.
Step: 2
For many people loved ones will come first, but we also hope you’ll consider leaving a gift to a charity like Cancer Research UK. We receive no government funding for our research, so gifts from people like you make everything we do possible. With your help, we will write an end to cancer.
Step: 3
Depending on the significance of the changes you’d like to make to your existing Will, it may be possible to use a codicil to make your amendments. A solicitor can advise on the best course of action.
Speak to one of our experts, we have a team of local legacy relationship managers who are available for any questions you might have, big or small. Find your local legacy relationship manager here.
For answers to common Will writing questions you can visit our FAQs page.
You can also check will writing terminology on our Glossary page.
Currently, if your estate is worth more than £325,000, the executors of your will may have to pay inheritance tax at 40%. A way of reducing this bill is to leave 10% or more of your estate to charity as you may then qualify for a reduced rate of inheritance tax (36% rather than 40%) giving you more control over your own money.
You can calculate your predicted inheritance tax liability, and how this can be reduced with a gift to charity using the government’s inheritance tax calculator.
Inheritance tax can be complicated, so if you think that your estate might need to pay it, it makes sense to get professional advice.
By telling Cancer Research UK where you're at in your Legacy journey, we can ensure you're given the right level of support, and plan our research into the future more effectively.
Update us