Leave a Legacy
Remembering Cruelty Free International in your will
Thank you for considering leaving a legacy gift to Cruelty Free International. Around 50% of our income comes from legacies, so your gift is vital in creating a world where nobody wants or believes we need to experiment on animals.
A legacy from you could help us:
- investigate and expose the reality of life for animals in laboratories
- change policy and legislation by challenging decision makers to make a positive difference for animals
- campaign for the development and uptake of alternative research methods
Important Information – Charitable Status
While we are a non-profit organisation, Cruelty Free International is unable to gain charitable status. In 1947, the House of Lords ruled that organisations campaigning against animal experiments could not be charitable because their work was deemed not for the ‘public benefit’ – one of the criteria necessary to register as a charity.
To include Cruelty Free International in your will it is important not to imply that we are a charity, as this may cause problems later. In order to avoid any confusion we would suggest that the following wording is used:
“I give to Cruelty Free International (Registered in England as The Campaign To End All Animal Experiments), 16a Crane Grove, London N7 8NN:
- all the residue of my estate or
- one (insert share, e.g. ½) share of the residue of my estate or
- the sum of £(insert sum) or
- a specific gift (e.g. jewellery, property)
for its purposes. I direct that the receipt of the Finance Manager or other proper officer of Cruelty Free International shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.”
To find out more about remembering Cruelty Free International in your will, please visit our Legacy FAQs.
Should you wish to direct your gift to our sister organisation, Cruelty Free International Trust, which is a registered charity, its charity registration number is 1081183. The charity is also based at 16a Crane Grove, London, N7 8NN, UK.
Important Information – How to write a will during lockdown
According to The Law Society, following the outbreak of coronavirus, the number of people in the UK seeking to write new wills has risen by at least 30%. The pandemic has made people consider the importance of having a valid and up to date will.
However, self-isolation and the lockdown make this difficult. So The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice are in discussions about relaxing the requirements for making a valid will.
Many solicitors, regarded as “key workers” by the Ministry of Justice, have come up with solutions so they can continue providing a vital will-writing service while still practising social distancing and minimising person-to-person contact.
How can I make a will or codicil during the lockdown?
Instructions can often be taken over the phone and the drafted will can then be sent to you by email or post for approval and amendment. Some solicitors may be able to talk to you via video link.
How do I get a will or codicil witnessed while self-isolating?
By law, wills must be signed by the testator (will-writer) in the physical presence of two witnesses, who also sign the document. If someone is self-isolating, it’s likely that they will be at home with the very people the will intends to benefit, meaning they cannot act as witnesses. However, there are ways to ensure your will is properly witnessed. For example, you could call your neighbours or friends and arrange a meeting in your garden, driveway or street. Everyone should use their own pens, wear gloves and ensure they stand two metres apart.
What changes are being made to the will making process in Scotland?
The Law Society of Scotland has temporarily amended its guidance on witnessing the signing of a will to allow solicitors to act as witness via video conference, so long as they are not appointed as ‘executor’ (the person named in the will to enact the testator’s wishes).
How will the changes to witnessing work in Scotland?
The solicitor will need to send the testator their will by post and provide details of the video conference. During the conference, they should ask the testator to show that there is no one else in the room to ensure they are not under any undue influence and that their will is currently unsigned. They should then ask the testator to sign each page and show them that each page has been signed.
The will should then be sent as soon as possible to the person who witnessed the signing and they should sign and date the will with the date that the testator signed it.
I am struggling with being alone during self-isolation, can I speak to someone for support?
Our Remembrance and Legacy Manager, Angela Bunting, loves to hear from supporters and is available for an informal, confidential chat. Perhaps you have a story you’d like to share with other supporters who may also be feeling isolated? Whether you would like to discuss your will or would just like to hear a friendly voice, please contact Angela on her direct line, 0300 003 0577 (calls charged at local rate) between Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm.
Alternatively, you can send your contact details by e-mail to angela.bunting@crueltyfreeinternational.org and Angela would be happy to call you back at any time convenient for you.
Discussing your will in confidence
We appreciate that leaving a legacy gift is a very personal decision, and we understand you may or may not wish to let us know if you have included Cruelty Free International in your will.
Naturally, any information you provide us with will be treated with the strictest confidence and puts you under no obligation.
However, it is useful for us to hear from our legacy pledgers as this can help us plan our work better, so if you are comfortable letting us know, then we would love to hear from you.
If you wish to discuss your legacy gift please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Remembrance and Legacy Manager, Angela Bunting, on 0300 003 0577 (calls charged at local rate) or email Angela.Bunting@CrueltyFreeInternational.org (Monday - Thursday inclusive). Should you have a legacy enquiry outside of these times, please contact Deputy CEO and Finance Director, Julian Littaur, on 020 7619 6987 or Julian.Littaur@CrueltyFreeInternational.org.