© Charlie Hoare
Legacy stories
Leaving a gift in your Will is a great way to make a lasting contribution to wildlife locally
Nature Restoration Trainee Scheme
Thanks to a generous gift in their Will from two long-term SWT members, we’re helping to support the next generation of wildlife conservationists.
Their gift has been instrumental in our Reserves Trainee programme, which equips trainees with essential skills to help us manage and protect Surrey's habitats. Find out more about the impact of their gift in our short video.
Vann Lake - A Living Legacy
In 2023, we received a generous donation from a local resident and Surrey Wildlife Trust member. This donation enabled the purchase of an acre of additional land at our Vann Lake reserve. This purchase of land connects important habitat which we can ensure will be managed for the benefit of nature long into the future.
As someone who cares passionately about Surrey's wild places, this donor wanted to leave a 'Living Legacy' that they could see come to fruition in their lifetime, but that would also endure long into the future.
Director of Reserves Management James Herd said: “The thing that impresses me most is that this individual shares our belief that in the face of a climate and nature emergency, optimism and action are the only sensible response. If we take a long-term view and each do what we can, there's no reason why we can't create and maintain more places like Vann Lake, for the benefit of the generations to come.”
Donations of this scale make a huge impact in keeping the Trust’s future secure and in enabling us to set our ambitions higher. But every gift - whatever the size, is hugely appreciated and forms part of a powerful collective.
Meet Mary
The family of former Surrey Wildlife Trust member and Bramley resident Mary Rae made a donation in her name. Mary died in 2022, having been a Surrey Wildlife Trust member for 55 years.
Mary was an active supporter of nature conservation, allowing her large, previously formal garden to run almost wild for the benefit of Badgers, Foxes and deer. In spring she joined Toad patrols, helping amphibians to cross roads safely to their breeding ponds. Mary travelled widely and was a keen nature photographer. This kind donation will enable us to continue to support her beloved wildlife.
All our reserves are long-term projects, requiring sustained investment and management over many years – and a gift in your Will is the perfect way to secure their future.
Please get in touch
Do you have a Legacy Story to share? If your loved one left a gift in their Will to Surrey Wildlife Trust, or if you donated on their behalf, we’d love to be able to share their story. Legacy stories are practical examples of how gifts in Wills are spent, which help us to communicate how they impact local wildlife and contribute towards our nature conservation efforts.
If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us on 01483 663297 or email fundraising@surreywt.org.uk. Alternatively, you can complete the below form.