Charities praise will gifts amid 'affordability challenges'

People who leave charities donations, legacies and bequests in their wills make noticeable differences to organisations, no matter what the amount is, sector leaders say.

The comments come as one leader acknowledged living costs could present "affordability challenges" for potential givers.

Marcus Liddiard, from the Association of Jersey Charities, said, despite "the number of people giving is very, very high compared to the UK", it was "hard to tell" how the cost of living might affect giving.

The chair of Jersey Fundraising Forum, Bethany Gallichan, said she understood some people were struggling, but added any money left in wills could be "transformational".

Research carried out for the Association of Jersey Charities by 4insight found 89% of respondents had given money in the previous 12 months, but younger people and lower-income households were less likely to have donated, with affordability being a "key barrier".

Liddiard said, despite this, legacy giving remained important, and people needed to amounts left in wills did not have to be headline-grabbing.

He said: "The ones you hear about often can be the really big ones, but some of most impactful ones are the smaller everyday ones".

He added legacy giving was "one part" of the picture and there was also "opportunity for everybody" to also help by volunteering and offering time, skills, representation and support, which was "equally valuable".

Gallichan added: "I do understand people are struggling with the cost of living crisis, but we do have people who have the ability to leave those gifts, and they can be so transformational, especially to those charitable organisations that are seeing costs rising and services in higher demand".

She added such gifts could help fund services for islanders struggling with the cost of living.

Jersey Trees for Life said legacy donations made "a huge difference" to it.

It was gifted land at Adelina Wood by Enid Gautier last year, plus Mont Vibert Wood, as well as £20,000 by islanders who passed away.

John Michel, from the charity, said it was "very special" to be recognised in wills and it was "really quite inspiring when someone local" made what could be a "transformational" move.

Karla Summers-Shaw, from law firm Viberts, said it was "really easy" for anyone to leave a legacy.

"The size of the gift is completely proportionate to the size of a person's estate, and I always say no gift is too small," she said.

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