Leaving a gift in your will

A gift in your Will to Down Syndrome UK helps us be there for families for years to come. It means more children and young people with Down syndrome grow up with the right support around them, and more families find a community that understands.If you feel able to share your decision with others, it may encourage them to do the same.

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Why choose DSUK?

We are experts by experience. Our team includes parents of children with Down syndrome, so we know what helps because we’ve needed it ourselves.

We’re with families from the very start. That might be a welcome pack and a congratulations card during pregnancy, a Heart Buddy before surgery, or practical help with early development, toilet training and starting school. We also train midwives, teachers and other professionals, so families meet people who understand.

We’re a small team, and we make every gift work hard. A gift in your Will helps us keep all of this going for the families who find us next.

Find out more about our impact

Types of legacy you can leave

Pecuniary gift

A fixed sum of money

Residuary gift

A percentage of your estate after other bequests, debts, and taxes.

Specific gift

Property, shares, items of value

*Residuary gifts are particularly flexible, keeping pace with inflation and the changing value of your estate.

Tax benefits

Gifts to charity are free from Inheritance Tax. Your gift is taken off the value of your estate before any tax is worked out.

If you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, the Inheritance Tax rate on the rest may drop from 40% to 36%. That could mean more is passed on to the people you love.

What to include in your Will

To make sure your gift reaches us, your Will needs three details:

  • our full name: Down Syndrome UK
  • our registered charity number: 1184564
  • our registered office address: 483 Green Lanes, London N13 4BS

Your solicitor may find this wording helpful:

“I give £_____ / _% of my residuary estate to Down Syndrome UK, 483 Green Lanes, London N13 4BS, Registered Charity Number 1184564. I declare that the receipt of the appropriate officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my trustees.”

Getting the right help

We recommend asking a qualified solicitor or professional Will writer to write your Will. Some free Will-writing schemes are available, and these can be a good place to start. It’s best to avoid writing your Will yourself, as small mistakes can cause problems later.

We can’t write or witness your Will for you. This keeps your wishes independent and protects your gift.

Letting us know

You don’t have to tell us about your gift. If you’d like to, we’d love to thank you in whatever way suits you, and talk about how your gift could be used.

Have questions?

Contact us to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to Down Syndrome UK.

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