Many of us do not want to dwell too long on our future demise, ev en though we know it is ineitable. That makes it difficult for charities trying to drum up legacy income for the future.
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, referring to its work to protect wetlands and their wildlife, says in a circular letter: “Income from legacies is absolutely crucial to this.” I am sure it is, but the sentence seems to have been written from the point of view of the charity, rather than the reader. On the other hand, the letter delicately never mentions the word death, and refers to legacies as representing a gift.
Perhaps that is a way of looking at legacies for charities – one’s final gift and, at least, it is free from inheritance tax. That, I feel, is something which could have been mentioned in the letter.
I’ve recently had appeals from several charities addressed to the wrong house name: same postcode as mine, but about three doors away. Fortunately our postman usually spots the mistake, and delivers them to the right house.
Of course supporters’ names and addresses get passed around between charities, so the error persists, and I wonder if there’s any way of correcting it other than informing each charity separately. Anyone else had this problem?