Frequently asked questions

• Pecuniary Bequest – this is when you leave a specific sum of money. Please remember that inflation may impact on the amount we may actually receive.
• Specific Bequest – this is when you choose to leave a specific item such as a painting, property or land.
• Residual Bequest – you may choose to leave whatever is left over once all your other bequests are made and all costs are met. This is the residue of your estate. 

Many people choose to support us by leaving a percentage, or ‘residual gift’, of whatever is left from their estate once everything else is paid out.

This allows them to ensure their loved ones are looked after first and foremost. A residual gift also keeps pace with inflation. Even 1% of your estate can be a significant gift.

Anyone can leave a gift to Surrey Wildlife Trust when making a Will. Gifts in Wills make up almost a fifth of our income, and are essential to the funding of our work. It’s one of the easiest and most valuable ways you can support the Trust, ensuring that we can:

• Protect and connect spaces for nature across our county 
• Encourage local wildlife to thrive and support the recovery of our rarest species 
• Support others to take action for nature and help wildlife where they live
• Inspire children and adults to learn and experience the joy and well-being that comes from connecting with nature

Legacies are usually unrestricted gifts, allowing us to use the funds wherever the need is greatest at that particular time. If you have a particular area of interest that you’d like to benefit please contact us to discuss your intentions.

Create a new Will:

If you are yet to make a Will, the first thing you need to do is talk to your solicitor. This will ensure that your Will is legally correct and that all your wishes are carried out. We offer our supporters a free Will-writing service which you are welcome to use - while we are grateful for any gifts we receive, you can use the service with no obligations.

Amend an existing Will (Codicil):

If you already have a Will and would like to include a gift to Surrey Wildlife Trust, all you have to do is:

1. Contact your solicitor
2. Instruct your solicitor that you would like to leave a gift
3. Discuss the details of the gift

Your solicitor can add your request to your existing Will – this is known as a 'codicil'.

When including a legacy to charity it’s important to specify the charity’s registered name, address and charity number. For Surrey Wildlife Trust these are: 

• Registered name: Surrey Wildlife Trust 
• Registered address: School Lane, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0JN
• Registered charity number: 208123

Suggested wording 

For a residuary gift to the Trust: “I give to Surrey Wildlife Trust, School Lane, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0JN (Registered Charity Number 208123) ……………………… (1-100%, or stated portion) of the residue of my estate for its general charitable purposes and I further declare that the receipt of the Director of Finance or other proper officer of Surrey Wildlife Trust for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy."

For a pecuniary gift to the Trust: “I give the sum of £X to Surrey Wildlife Trust, School Lane, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0JN (Registered Charity Number 208123) for its general charitable purposes and I further declare that the receipt of the Director of Finance or other proper officer of Surrey Wildlife Trust for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy."

You won’t need to rewrite your Will unless you want to. A qualified solicitor can draft an amendment (called a codicil). It is a simple and inexpensive way to make a change to benefit wildlife. Do ask your solicitor about this.

Unfortunately, we are unable to act as Executors.