We're here to help, every step of the way
Our Legacy Relationship Manager, Sue Robertson is always on hand and happy to chat with you if you have any questions or would like advice. Sue is here to help you with:
- Questions about writing or updating your will
- Questions about the different kinds of gifts you can leave
- Questions about how your gift will be used
- Questions about our work
“Gifts in Wills make a huge difference to our work to ensure every child has a healthy start, the chance to learn, and be protected from harm. Without them – we simply couldn’t continue all our work across the UK and in over 115 countries worldwide. Thank you so much for your interest in supporting our work with a gift in your Will – if there’s anything at all I can do to help please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”
- Sue, Save the Children Legacy Relationship Manager
You can contact Sue on 020 7012 6400 or email [email protected].
On this page...
On this page, you can find a selection of helpful information in regards to how to leave a gift in your will.
This page covers a variety of topics, feel free to click on what you are interested in the most form the options below:
Types of gifts
There are different types of gifts you can leave.
It's important to understand what type of gift is best for you.
We always recommend talking to a solicitor or professional will writer about each type of gift.
Percentage share
You can leave a percentage share of your estate. This type of gift is the most valuable because it’s inflation-proof and maximises your impact to children in the UK and worldwide.
Lump sum
You can leave a fixed amount from your estate. This type of gift can lose its value over time with inflation and as costs increase.
Our free wills offers
We work with our trusted partner, Farewill, to offer you a free online or telephone will. You can also find a solicitor or professional in-person, online or by telephone on the links below.
Farewill
Many people now choose to write their Will online or over the phone.
Save the Children are happy to refer our supporters to Farewill, for the opportunity to write your Will for free. The service is suitable for supporters based in the UK.
Get started online by answering a brief series of questions to complete your Will. And if you have any questions, you can talk to their team by email or on the phone. Your Will is then checked by specialists who approve it for you to print, sign and have witnessed.
Simply use the code SAVE-WILL to write your Will for free.
OR FIND A LOCAL SOLICITOR OR WILL-WRITING SERVICE
You may prefer to choose a local solicitor or professional will-writing service instead.
Whatever route you take, we advise that you consult a professional to make sure that all the legal formalities are covered and that your Will is valid so that you can be confident that your wishes will be carried out.
The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors, and you can search its official directory for your region at the links below.
Are you the executor of someone who has left a gift to Save the Children in their Will?
We're here to help. You can find out more information on our Guidance for Executors page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t have a Will?
If you pass away without making a Will, this could result in your estate not going where you would have wished. If you have no family members to inherit, the entire estate will pass to the Crown.
That’s why it’s comforting to know your assets, savings and possessions will go to the people and causes you care about.
You can write your Will today with our online Will-writing partners at Farewill. Find out more here
ARE THERE ANY GIFTS YOU CANNOT ACCEPT?
Save the Children is committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of the charity but ultimately in the best interests of children.
Our donation acceptance policy ensures that we do not compromise on our mission and values when it comes to raising income.
We are rigorous when deciding whether or not to accept a donation from any source and follow our Donation Acceptance Policy which outlines our ‘No Go’ areas.
Please get in touch with us at [email protected] if you have any questions about this policy.
When is a good time to make my Will?
The sooner the better. Making your Will now will give you peace of mind that you have provided for your loved ones and contributed to causes you care about.
I want to take care of my friends and family first. Can I still leave a gift to Save the Children UK?
Of course, looking after your loved ones comes first. After making sure that they will be provided for, it’s still possible to support children around the world with a gift in your Will. Many people choose to leave a small percentage of their total estate as a gift.
DO I NEED TO USE A SOLICITOR TO WRITE OR AMEND MY WILL?
We recommend you consult a solicitor or professional Will-writing service to make sure that all the legal formalities are covered and that your Will is valid
We have partnered with FareWill to offer a free online professional Will-writing service. You can also choose to write your Will in November, which is Will Aid month, using a solicitor who is participating. Instead of paying a fee, you will be asked to make a voluntary donation to charity.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF GIFTS THAT I CAN LEAVE IN MY WILL?
Yes, there are three types:
- A residuary gift is a percentage or share of the balance of your estate once all other payments and gifts have been made. Many people prefer to give a residuary gift because it keeps in line with inflation and does not lose value over time.
- A pecuniary gift is a fixed amount of money.
- A specific gift is a gift of a specific item, like personal possessions, land or shares.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO INCLUDE WHEN LEAVING A GIFT TO SAVE THE CHILDREN?
To ensure your gift reaches us, your solicitor or professional Will-writer will need these details:
Charity name: Save the Children Fund
Charity address: 1 St John’s Lane, London EC1M 4AR
Charity number: 213890 (England and Wales) or SC039570 (Scotland)
We suggest this wording to leave a gift in your Will:I give to The Save the Children Fund of 1 St John’s Lane, London EC1M 4AR, registered charity numbers 213890 and SC039570 ____% of the residue of my estate / £_______ [specified amount] absolutely for its general charitable purposes.
Don't forget to use our full name and details to make sure the gift reaches us.
Can a gift to charity in my Will mean there’s less tax to pay on my estate?
Gifts to UK registered charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax, so yes, it may mean less tax on your estate.
In the UK, inheritance tax is currently paid to the government at a rate of 40% if your estate is worth more than £325,000. However, the rate might be reduced to 36% if 10% or more of your estate is left to charity.
Most gifts left to Save the Children are exempt from inheritance tax because we are a charity. You can find out more by contacting HMRC or a solicitor.
I already have a Will but I now want to include a gift to Save the Children. Can I?
Yes. You can update your existing Will by adding an amendment, called a ‘codicil’. Your solicitor can help you do this. Or you can use our partners, Farewill, to write a new Will, including your gift, for free.
Should I tell anyone about my Will?
It’s a good idea to talk to your family about your intentions. Your gift in your Will is a way of showing them the enduring impact of your care and compassion – and your belief that every child should have the chance of the future they deserve.
If you’re planning to remember Save the Children in your Will, we’d also really appreciate you letting us know at [email protected] It helps us plan for longer term projects – and gives us the chance to thank you properly.
Save the Children UK’s partnership with The Times
In September and October 2025, Save the Children worked in close partnership with The Times to share the impact that gifts in Wills have with their readers and listeners. Across The Times, Times.com and Times Radio – we highlighted the lifesaving and life-changing impact of our work that is made possible thanks to gifts in wills.
Sharing stories from our ambassador, Dame Arlene Phillips, our gifts in wills supporters and those working on the frontline delivering vital health services to children and families – this partnership shines a light on why gifts in Wills are so important to our work. Find out more here.
Step by Step
We’re determined to make lasting change, with children and for children. A gift in your Will can help to ensure our work to protect children can continue for years to come.
If you’re wondering whether to start – we’re here to help.
These 5 helpful steps will make sure you have all the information you need to support our lifesaving work for children with a gift in your Will.
By requesting a digital and print copy of our Gifts in Wills Guide and our Will Planner, you’re well on your way to learning all you need to know about a including a gift in your Will and how your gift can help children live the lives they deserve.
Our guide contains:
- Information about how your gift will make an impact
- FAQ about how to write or update your will
- Key information and wording needed to include a gift to Save the Children
- Guidance on how to find a local solicitor or will writer
- Detail on our free will service
- Our promise to gifts in wills supporters
Our Will Planner:
- A 5-step planner to help you write and update your will
- A helpful will-writing ‘jargon buster’
When writing or updating your Will, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your estate is worth.
Take some time and think about everything you own and what it is worth. Don’t forget to account for anything you owe (mortgage or loans for example). This will help you consider whether inheritance tax (IHT) will be applicable to your estate.
Taking care of loved ones:
When deciding how you would like to divide your estate, it’s important to consider what matters most to you. This will likely be family and friends – and we understand that loved ones come first.
Including a gift to the causes you care most about:
After taking care of loved ones, you may also want to consider supporting the causes that matter most to you too, by including a gift to a charity. Every gift to Save the Children – no matter the size – helps to fund our work to ensure every child stays safe, healthy and learning.
Types of gifts (see here):
- Percentage share (Residuary gift) - You can leave a percentage share of your estate. This type of gift is the most valuable because it’s inflation-proof and maximises your impact to children in the UK and worldwide.
- Lump sum (Pecuniary gift) - You can leave a fixed amount from your estate. This type of gift can lose its value over time with inflation and as costs increase.
- Specific gift - You can leave a specific gift from your estate. This could be a particular item such as a home, collection or art or jewelry, or a vehicle.
A solicitor will be able to advise on which gift best aligns with your wishes.
Think about who is going to manage the administration of your estate and ensure your wishes are carried out (the ‘executor’ of your Will). Executors can be a beneficiary in your Will and can be a member of your family, a close friend or a professional, such as a solicitor or accountant. The most important thing is that they are someone you trust to ensure your will instructions and wishes are met.
You can appoint more than one person to be an executor – most people include at least two in their Will. Before you write your Will, we always recommend you talk to the people you have chosen to be your executors to make sure they’re happy to do this.
Finding a solicitor or professional Will-writer:
To find a local solicitor, search the directory of the Law Society, the independent professional body for solicitors:
- If you live in England or Wales, go to: lawsociety.org.uk
- If you are in Scotland, go to: lawscot.org.uk
- If you are in Northern Ireland, go to: lawsoc-ni.org
- To find a professional Will-writer, visit ipw.org.uk (note: this doesn’t cover Scotland)
Our free Will scheme:
You can write your will for free online or by telephone through our free will scheme partner, Farewill.
Find out more here.
Key information for including a gift to Save the Children in your will:
To ensure your gift reaches us, your solicitor or professional Will-writer will need these details:
Charity name: Save the Children Fund
Charity address: 1 St John’s Lane, London EC1M 4AR
Charity number: 213890 (England and Wales) or SC039570 (Scotland)
Wording for your Will
If you decide to leave a gift in your Will, we suggest using this wording:
I give to The Save the Children Fund of 1 St John’s Lane, London EC1M 4AR, registered charity numbers 213890 and SC039570, _______% of the residue of my estate / £____________________ [specified amount] absolutely for its general charitable purposes.
We're here to help
Our Legacy Relationship Manager, Sue Robertson is always on hand and happy to chat with you if you have any questions or would like advice.
If you want to talk to Sue at Save the Children about leaving a gift in your Will or administering a Will, please contact us on 020 7012 6400 or email us at [email protected].
Key information
Your chosen solicitor or professional Will writing provider will need these details to ensure your gift reaches us:
Charity name: Save the Children UK
Charity address: 1 St John's Lane, London, EC1M4AR
Charity number: 213890 (England and Wales) or SC039570 (Scotland)
