What do Gifts in Wills fund?

At Erskine, Gifts in Wills make up 50% of charitable income to care and support our brave Veterans.

They help us provide beds, specialist nurses and equipment and to extend our recreational programme to benefit all our Veterans. Independence is precious to the people we care for, and your gift can help us purchase physiotherapy equipment which allows greater access to mobility. They also help pay for our Activity Centres, which help support younger Veterans by offering them companionship and the opportunity to learn new skills. 

83p of every pound is spent directly on helping over 1,000 Veterans every year. 

Every gift, large or small, will make a difference to the lives of Veterans and help us to care for many more in the years to come.

Download the Legacy Pack

Free Will Writing

We understand that writing your Will can be a personal and sensitive task, but we are here to help should you need it.

Erskine has teamed up with the National Free Wills Network to offer you a free, no obligation Will writing service.  

Complete the form to receive a free Will writing pack, including a list of your nearest participating solicitors.

Write Your Will for Free
I fell in love with Erskine the minute I walked through the doors. It just felt like home. They talked me through the whole process and made it as simple as possible. Now I can rest easily knowing that if anything happens to me, Erskine will get a much needed injection of cash.
Erskine Legator

Our Legacy Promise

  • We absolutely recognise that those closest to you come first in your Will
  • We will never ask you the size or type of gift if you decide to support our work by leaving us a gift in your Will
  • We will never ask you to tell us your intentions, but if you decide to tell us we can say “Thank you”
  • We fully understand that you may change your Will and decide not to leave us a gift, and that is your right to do so
  • We promise to use your gift wisely and for the benefit of our Veterans

 

alt

What do you need?

To leave a gift in your Will to Erskine, all you need to provide your solicitor with is:

Name of charity: Erskine
Scottish Charity number: SC006609
Address: The Erskine Home, Bishopton, PA7 5PU

Get in touch

If you’re thinking about a gift in your Will and have a question, no matter how big or small, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’d like information on Free Wills, or want to understand the impact of your gift, we’re here to talk things through. No pressure, just support.

Our legacy fundraiser, Sarah Morgan, is always on hand and happy to chat if you have any questions.

alt

Get in touch

Tel: 0141 814 4520

Email sarah.morgan@erskine.org.uk

Gift in Wills explained

Meet the team

Sarah Morgan

Legacy Development Manager

Sarah Morgan

FAQs

Why do I need a Will?

Creating a Will helps you clearly set out your wishes and ensures that you provide for the people and causes important to you as you intend. A Will can help you decide who should receive your money, property and possessions, as well as who will be responsible for managing your estate.

Having a valid Will can also help make the process clearer and less stressful for loved ones after your death.

What happens if I don’t make a Will?

If someone dies without a valid Will, their estate is distributed according to legal rules known as intestacy rules. This means their money, property, and possessions may not be passed on in the way they would have wished.

Without a Will, unmarried partners, close friends and charities would not automatically receive anything from an estate.

How do I leave a gift to Erskine in my Will?

We would always recommend using a solicitor or qualified Will writer when making or updating your Will. They can make sure your wishes are clearly reflected and that your Will has been completed correctly.

We are also partners with the National Free Wills Network to offer you free, no obligation Will writing service. 

There is no obligation to leave a gift to Erskine through this service. However, gifts in Wills help us continue supporting veterans and their families for generations to come.

If you would like to find out more about the free Will writing service, please request or contact Sarah Morgan at sarah.morgan@erskine.org.uk or telephone 0141 814 4520.

What are Erskine’s registered charity details that need to be included in a Will?

To leave a gift in your Will to Erskine, all you need to provide your solicitor with is:

  • Name of charity: Erskine
  • Scottish Charity number: SC006609
  • Address: The Erskine Home, Bishopton, PA7 5PU

Can I add Erskine to an existing Will?

Yes. If you already have a Will, you may add a gift to Erskine using a simple legal document called a codicil, rather than rewriting the entire Will.

A solicitor can advise on the best option for your circumstances.

Can I change my Will later?

Yes. You can update your Will if your wishes or circumstances change. If you would like to change your Will, we would recommend speaking to a solicitor or qualified Will writer for advice on the best way to do this.

Do I have to tell Erskine if I leave a gift in my Will?

No, there is no obligation to tell us. However, many supporters choose to let us know so we can thank them properly and keep them updated on the impact legacy gifts make.

Any information shared with us would be treated confidentially.

Is there a minimum amount I need to leave?

No. Every gift, no matter the size, can help support veterans and their families.

Legacy gifts of all sizes play an important role in helping Erskine continue its work.

What types of gifts can I leave in my Will?

There are different ways to leave a gift in your Will, depending on what feels right for you and your circumstances.

Residuary gift

A residuary gift is a share or percentage of your estate after any debts, expenses and gifts to loved ones have been taken care of. Many people choose this type of gift because it keeps its value over time and adjusts alongside changes in the value of an estate.

Pecuniary gift

A pecuniary gift is a fixed sum of money left in your Will. This could be any amount you choose to leave to help support Erskine’s work with veterans and their families.

Specific gift

A specific gift is a particular item left in your Will, such as jewellery, property, shares, or another valued possession.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps Erskine continue supporting veterans across Scotland now and for generations to come.

Are gifts to charities exempt from inheritance tax?

Inheritance tax is a tax that may apply to an estate after someone dies, depending on the total value of the estate and whom it is left to. An estate can include property, savings, investments, and personal possessions.

In the UK, gifts left to registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax. This means any gift left to Erskine in your Will would not usually be taxed.

In some circumstances, leaving a charitable gift can also reduce the rate of inheritance tax applied to the rest of an estate. Currently, if 10% or more of the net value of an estate is left to charity, the inheritance tax rate on the remaining taxable estate may reduce from 40% to 36%.

As inheritance tax rules and thresholds can change, and will depend on your personal circumstances, we would always recommend speaking to a solicitor or financial adviser for guidance specific to your situation.