Tribute funds and legacy giving

Giving in memory is a special way to remember a loved one, while making a valuable contribution to our hospitals in their name.

You can choose to support a particular department, fund or the charity as a whole.

You can also set up a JustGiving in memory page for those who want to donate online. Click here to visit the Just Giving in memory page.

Our ‘Give in memory’ envelopes can be used at a funeral or memorial event to collect donations that will benefit the patients and their families at our hospitals and can be ordered here: charity@bthft.nhs.uk

If you wish to make a donation by post, please download our donation form here and post to the address indicated.

Give a regular gift in your loved one's memory

Alternatively, why not make a regular gift on a particular day or month every year?

Set up a regular gift here.

Organising an event in memory of a loved one

You can register a unique event or challenge event in your loved one’s name here too.

We understand that donating in memory is a very personal way of remembering someone and we really appreciate your support.

For help and support at this most difficult of times, please see below:

Bradford Hospitals’ Bereavement office, please call 01274 364477

https://www.bradfordbereavement.org.uk/

Cruse Bereavement Care offers bereavement counselling support Child Bereavement UK offers support to families and professionals.

Legacy giving

After you have ensured your loved ones are taken care of, consider leaving a gift to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity to say thank you and give back to the community.

No matter the size, your gift will make an incredible difference to patients and families here in Bradford and the surrounding community.

A lot of the gifts we receive are from those who want to give back to hospitals, for the care they or their loved ones have received.

For more information about leaving a gift in your will to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, please call us on 01274 274809, or email charity@bthft.nhs.uk

Alternatively, complete the form below to raise an enquiry and we will be in touch.

Why do people leave a legacy?

There are many reasons why our supporters choose to leave a gift in their will to Bradford’s hospitals. One of the main reasons is so that they can say thank you for the care they or their loved ones have received.

Information for solicitors and will-writers

Any gift left in a will, no matter how large or small, is important to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

We always recommend to our supporters that a will is drawn up by a legal professional so that they receive expert advice and their requests are protected and cannot be altered by others. We also advise that, where possible, the next of kin and family members are informed of our supporters’ decision to leave a gift in their will to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

It helps to ensure that the wording of the will is precise and clear. When helping draw up a will,  please use the following wording as a guide and reference:

Wording in your will

You may choose to leave us the whole, or a share of, your estate (a residual legacy), a specific sum (pecuniary legacy) or a specific item (a specific legacy).

Wording for a Residual Legacy:

I GIVE the residue of my estate to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity (Registered Charity Number 1061753) absolutely.

Wording for a Pecuniary Legacy:

I GIVE the sum of xxxxxx Pounds (£xxxxx) to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity (Registered Charity Number 1061753) absolutely.

Wording for a Specific Legacy:

I GIVE Bradford Hospitals’ Charity (Registered Charity Number 1061753) absolutely.

 OR

I GIVE the residue of my estate to my Trustees to divide the same as to X% for Bradford Hospitals’ Charity (Registered Charity Number 1061753) absolutely and Y% for xxxxx absolutely.

Whichever paragraph you choose to put in your will, we recommend you also add the following wording:

AND I DECLARE THAT

(a)  THE receipt of the legacy officer, treasurer or any other authorised officer of the above charity will be a sufficient discharge to my Trustees who need not thereafter be concerned to see how the legacy is applied.

(b)   UNLESS I have stated that the legacy should be used for a specific purpose, the legacy can be used for the general purposes of the said charity.

(c)    IF the said charity has changed its name or amalgamated with another charity, my Trustees will give effect to the legacy by paying it to the charity in its changed name or to the charity with which it has amalgamated.

(d)   IF the said charity ceases to exist before my death, my Trustees will give effect to the legacy by paying it to any charity or charities of their choice whose objects appear to them most closely to fulfill the objects that I had intended to benefit.

When leaving a gift in a will to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, it helps if the bequest is not too specific. This is because the medical equipment that Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust use, and the type of treatment provided, is constantly changing.

We would be more than happy to discuss with you the wording of a will and provide information about the work funded by Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

Add a gift to an existing Will

If you are simply adding a gift in favour of Bradford Hospitals’ Charity to an existing will, this can be done using a ‘Codicil’. A ‘Codicil’ need not change the terms of your current will, but can simply add a new instruction.

We strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor before making a Codicil, particularly if your will already has Codicils.

A few things to bear in mind:

You cannot make changes or add instructions to your will by writing or crossing anything out – these changes will not be valid.

The only valid way to change/add information to a will is through completing a Codicil.

You will need to sign and date your Codicil in the presence of two witnesses, just like your will.

Do not attach the Codicil to your will – simply keep them together. Any damage done to the will caused by attaching additional documents may cause problems when your will is read

Send, or give, a copy of the will (in a sealed envelope if you prefer) to your Executor or other trusted friend, with a note indicating where the original will is held.

Thank you for considering leaving a gift in your will in support of Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.  If you have any questions or would like any further information, you can contact us on 01274 274809 or email charity@bthft.nhs.uk

LEGACY FAQ

Leaving a gift in your will can leave you with some questions.

Q What does it mean to leave a legacy?

A legacy is a donation that is left as part of your will. When someone leaves a legacy to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity, you'll be helping us continue to fund important long-term projects and equipment which will benefit patients across Bradford.

Q How do I leave a legacy?

A We always recommend to our supporters that a sill is drawn up by a legal professional so that they receive expert advice and their requests are protected and cannot be altered by others. We also advise that, where possible, the next of kin and family members are informed of our supporters decision to leave a gift in their Will to Bradford Hospitals’ Charity.

Q What happens when you leave a will?

A The Will that you left will be filed with a petition which asks the court to approve the will and put it into effect. It is then left to the executor who is then in charge of moving it into the probate process and then managing and distributing the assets.

Q What if I want to make significant changes?

A If you've already made a will but want to make changes, we recommend speaking to your solicitor or a professional will writer and considering having it redrafted. It is recommended that you keep your will regularly updated. For example, there may have been births, deaths, marriages since you last looked at your will.

Q Who do I need to inform?

A When writing or making changes to your will, you'll need to consult your solicitor or a legal professional to ensure it is drafted correctly and that your wishes will be carried out. It's also good practice to tell your next of kin or a close friend if you have specific wishes.