Would you like to help SUDEP Action carry on after you are gone?
Have you considered leaving a legacy to SUDEP Action in your will?
SUDEP Action is striving to put an end to epilepsy deaths. Whilst we are doing everything we can today, we need to be confident that we can continue to fund cutting edge research into epilepsy deaths and disseminate that research so the next generation can benefit from it.
Please consider helping SUDEP Action by leaving a legacy to us.
Here to help you is Your Guide to Making a Will.
If you would like further information on legacies, then please contact out fundraising team on 01235 772850 or
You may also like to consider using Will Aid
Your Guide to Making a Will
Introduction
Do you know that three people die from epilepsy each day in the UK? In fact people with epilepsy are 10 times more likely to die prematurely than people with asthma. Yet unlike, asthma, the majority of people with epilepsy have no idea that they could die from the condition.
We believe this is wrong. We have no desire to limit the lives of those with epilepsy. On the contrary, we want to encourage people with epilepsy to live their lives to the full. What we would like to see is people with epilepsy being armed with the facts about SUDEP and other epilepsy deaths, so they can make informed decisions about how they choose to live their life.
The role of SUDEP Action is to provide free support to the families of those bereaved by epilepsy, to fund and conduct research into these deaths and to campaign for change. This means encouraging health professionals to be open about the risks of SUDEP with patients and encouraging people with epilepsy to be proactive in managing their condition.
We believe the time will come, when no-one has to go through the unimaginable pain of a loved one dying too soon as a result of epilepsy. Please help us make this vision become a reality. By leaving a legacy to SUDEP Action, you can make a lasting difference to the lives of people with epilepsy. Please act today.
Help us continue to save lives
In 1995, five women came together following their own personal tragedies and set up Epilepsy Bereaved with a pledge to support the families of the bereaved, encourage research into epilepsy deaths and spread awareness of SUDEP with a view to preventing deaths. Sixteen years on, we have made remarkable progress in spreading awareness of the condition, but we know there is still so much to do. We know that what we are doing works.
Here are some of the things we have achieved:
- Over 1,000 people have contacted us each year for support in relation to a bereavement
- We have helped thousands of people cope better with the loss of a loved one
- We have funded and conducted vital research into how epilepsy deaths could be prevented
- We influenced a change in NICE guidelines on communicating risk of SUDEP to people with Epilepsy.
- A combined media circulation of 5 million each year for articles raising awareness of SUDEP and other epilepsy deaths
The work of SUDEP Action really does make a difference to people’s lives
But it does cost money to make that difference. Which is why remembering SUDEP Action in your will can help ensure we continue in our campaign for many years to come.
Making A Will
Making a will and keeping it up to date means you can look after the future of those you love, whether that is providing for your children, your family or friends. It also gives you a chance to remember a charity which has personal resonance for you.
What to do?
Decide who will draw up your Will
There are a number of options when it comes to making your Will, but we always recommend consulting a professional. It may seem cheaper and easier to write a Will yourself, but a professional will ensure that all the legal formalities are correctly followed and that your Will is valid. A valid Will gives you peace of mind that your exact wishes will be carried out the way you intended.
Using a solicitor
You can find a solicitor in your area through the Law Society.
The Law Society provides independent advice on topics such as choosing a solicitor and preparing for your first meeting.
The cost of using a solicitor varies depending on how complicated your Will is and where in the country you live. The solicitor should make it clear from the start how much they will charge.
Using a Will writer
Professional Will writers are another option, but they are currently less regulated than solicitors. It is important to check that they belong to a professional body and follow a code of conduct.The Institute of Professional Will Writersis just one of the bodies that can help you find a Will writer in your area.
Using a bank
Many high street banks are also able to assist with Will writing. Please contact your local branch for further information.
Work out your assets
Before arranging to have a Will written, it is worth drawing up a list of your assets (and your debts). This should give you a clearer idea of what your final estate will look like.
You could set it out like the one below:
Assets:
- House
- Cash savings
- Bank/building society/savings account
- Shares
- Bonds
- Life policies
- Pension funds
- Household contents, jewellery, possessions
Debts:
- Mortgage
- Loans
- Other debts
Plan who you'll remember
When writing a Will it is important to make sure your loved ones are taken care of.
After providing for family and friends, you may wish to leave a legacy to SUDEP Action – a contribution that could help save many lives.
Leaving a legacy to SUDEP Action?
Useour recommended wordingand don’t forget our full name –SUDEP Action which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved and our registered charity number 1050459.
Choosing an executor or Trustee (legacy admin)
Think about who you want to carry out your wishes when you’re gone. This person should be appointed as yourexecutor. This can be a very rewarding role, talk it over with your friends and family to appoint the right person.
Choose the type of legacy
There are several different types of legacy and choosing how to make your gift is an important decision.
Consider each option carefully and select the one that’s right for you.
Residuary legacy
This is a gift of the remainder or percentage of your estate after all other legacies have been made and debts cleared.
Residuary legacies keep up with inflation and are an effective way to divide the value of an estate between a number of people and causes that are important to you.
If you are considering what type of legacy to leave SUDEP Action, a residuary legacy can help your gift go further.
Pecuniary legacy
A gift of a fixed sum of money. The value of pecuniary legacies will decrease over time, as the cost of living increases.
Specific legacy
A particular named item left as a gift in your Will is known as a specific legacy, for example, a piece of jewellery.
Contingent gifts
Legacies made on the basis of another event happening first are called contingent gifts. For example your Will could state that a gift only applies if all other beneficiaries named in your Will die before you do.
Life interest or reversionary legacy
This is a gift which someone can benefit from in their lifetime. For instance, your house could be left for the use of a relative. When they die it could pass to someone else, or to a charity.
Get the wording right
If you have decided to remember SUDEP Actionin your Will we recommend taking this wording to your solicitor.
Here are our suggestions for:
- Residuary
- Pecuniary
- Specific
- Revisionary Legacy
It is important that the following clause is included in your Will, whichever wording you need to use:
"If at my death any charity named as a beneficiary in this Will or any Codicil hereto has changed its name or amalgamated with or transferred its assets to another body then my executors shall give effect to any gift made to such charity as if it had been made (in the first case) to the body in its changed name or (in the second place) to the body which results from such amalgamation or to which such transfer has been made."
Please remember to use our full name SUDEP Action, which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved, our registered charity number 1050459 and the correct registered address:
SUDEP Action
12 a Mill Street
Wantage
OX12 9AQ
Residuary bequest (a proportion of your estate)
I give (%) of the residue of my real and personal estate which I can dispose of by Will in any manner I think proper to SUDEP Action, which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved (Registered Charity No. 1050459) of 12a Mill Street, Wantage, OX12 9AQ and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or the proper officer for the time being of Epilepsy Bereaved shall be a complete discharge to my executors.
Pecuniary bequest (a set sum)
I give the sum of ...... pounds to SUDEP Action, which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved (Registered Charity No. 1050459) of 12a Mill Street, Wantage, OX12 9AQ and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of Epilepsy Bereaved shall be a complete discharge to my executors.
Specific legacy bequest (a named item)
I, give to SUDEP Action, which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved (Registered Charity No. 1050459) of 12a Mill Street, Wantage, OX12 9AQ absolutely, my (name and description of item).
Reversionary legacies / Life interest trusts
My trustees shall hold […] on trust for […] during his lifetime and, following his death, hold the capital and income for SUDEP Action, which is the working name of Epilepsy Bereaved (Registered Charity No. 1050459) of 12a Mill Street, Wantage, OX12 9AQ and the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of SUDEP Action shall be a complete discharge to my trustees …
Consider a residuary legacy
If you are not sure which type of legacy to leave SUDEP Action then please consider a residuary legacy. Residuary legacies retain their value because they follow inflation and are based on a portion of your estate rather than a set amount of money.
Let us know
If you have left or are considering leaving a legacy to SUDEP Action then please let us know. By letting us know your intentions, we can thank you properly. It also enables us to plan ahead with confidence and fund more research to prevent epilepsy deaths.
Please let us know your intentions by emailing