Deafness Research UK joins UK’s largest legacies campaign

National charity Deafness Research UK today marks its participation in the UK's largest cross charity campaign, Remember A Charity Week, 13-19 September, by hosting a legacy event aimed at thanking their current supporters, raising awareness of the latest developments in hearing research and promoting legacy giving. This event will be held at the prestigious UCL Ear Institute that Deafness Research UK supports as part of its Auditory Centres of Excellence campaign.

The week sees over 140 charities from around the country coming together to highlight the importance of gifts left to charities in wills. Charitable donations in wills are the foundation of many of Britain’s charities, generating nearly £2 billion each year, the equivalent of 25 Comic Reliefs. Without this income most charities’ services would suffer; others like Deafness Research UK would simply not exist. Deafness Research UK will join charities up and down the country, organising activities and events throughout the week. An evening event for those interested in leaving a legacy to the charity will be held on 23 September 2010 at the UCL Ear Institute, giving guests the opportunity to hear about the vital work the charity does, as well as getting a chance to talk to the scientists and researchers funded with the public’s support.

Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive of Deafness Research UK said: “Legacies are one of our most valuable sources of funding, so it’s important to get the message across to as many people as possible on the benefits of legacy giving. Remembering to make provision in the form of a will and a legacy is the best way to ensure your family and the causes you care about receive the gifts you Intend; Remember a Charity Week is a key initiative in this, highlighting the value of legacies to charities like Deafness Research UK in enabling our vital research work to continue.”

Stephen George, Chair of Remember A Charity, said: “Many people in the UK don’t realise that they can give money to charities like Deafness Research UK in this way. But the truth is, after looking after family and friends, a small share of whatever is left can make a real difference to charities like Deafness Research UK and the invaluable work they do.”

Remember A Charity Week, 13-19 September 2010, is an awareness week organised by charity consortia Remember A Charity, which aims to shine a light on the importance of gifts in wills to charities. Currently only 7% of the UK currently remember a charity in their will.

For more information, visit our legacies page .