Charities praise will gifts despite cost of living
Jersey charities say leaving donations in wills can be "transformational", regardless of how much.
**Charities welcome will gifts despite cost of living pressures**
Marcus Liddiard said even small sums left in wills could make a difference
People who leave charities donations, legacies and bequests in their wills make a noticeable difference to organisations, whatever the amount, sector leaders say.
The remarks come as one leader admitted that living costs could create "affordability challenges" for potential donors.
Marcus Liddiard, from the Association of Jersey Charities, said that although "the number of people giving is very, very high compared to the UK", it was "hard to tell" how the cost of living might affect donations.
Bethany Gallichan, chair of the Jersey Fundraising Forum, said she understood that some people were struggling, but added that any money left in wills could be "transformational".
Adelina Woods was left to Jersey Trees for Life in a will last year
Research carried out for the Association of Jersey Charities by 4insight, external found that 89% of respondents had given money in the previous 12 months, but younger people and lower-income households were less likely to have donated, with affordability identified as a "key barrier".
Liddiard said that, despite this, legacy giving remained important, and people needed to understand that amounts left in wills did not have to be headline-grabbing.
He said: "The ones you hear about often can be the really big ones, but some of most impactful ones are the smaller everyday ones".
He added that legacy giving was "one part" of the picture and that there was also "opportunity for everybody" to help by volunteering and offering time, skills, representation and support, which was "equally valuable".
Gallichan added: "I do understand people are struggling with the cost of living crisis, but we do have people who have the ability to leave those gifts, and they can be so transformational, especially to those charitable organisations that are seeing costs rising and services in higher demand".
She added that such gifts could help fund services for islanders struggling with the cost of living.
John Michel said it was "very special" to be left Adelina Wood as a legacy gift
Jersey Trees for Life said legacy donations made "a huge difference" to it.
It was gifted land at Adelina Wood by Enid Gautier last year, plus Mont Vibert Wood, as well as £20,000 by islanders who passed away.
John Michel, from the charity, said it was "very special" to be recognised in wills and it was "really quite inspiring when someone local" made what could be a "transformational" move.
Bethany Gallichan said it was a difficult time for charities with rising costs
Karla Summers-Shaw, from law firm Viberts, said it was "really easy" for anyone to leave a legacy.
"The size of the gift is completely proportionate to the size of a person's estate, and I always say no gift is too small," she said.