Yes - our Will-Writing Service allows you to use one of our trusted legal partners to write a simple Will and we’ll pick up the bill. We hope that, in return, you’ll choose to leave a gift in your Will to Cancer Research UK, so we can continue to save and improve lives through our research, information and influence.
You can choose the method that suits you best: online, over the phone, in person, or via the post — all designed to be straightforward and secure. If your Will is more complex, your solicitor will explain any additional costs before you proceed. For more information, visit our Will-writing service page.
Yes, you can ask your solicitor or professional Will writer to make amendments to your Will at any time. Depending on the extent of the changes you would like to make to your existing Will, it might be possible for you to use a codicil to make your amendments. Please remember to include our full name and charity number. Our full name is Cancer Research UK. Our Registered Charity Numbers are as follows: England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247).
It’s a good idea to review your Will regularly to make sure it still reflects your wishes, especially if your personal circumstances have changed. For example, marriage, divorce or separation, a new arrival or death in your family, moving house, moving abroad or a change in your financial circumstances can all affect your Will.
We recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer. Wills are so important that most people prefer to have a solicitor involved to ensure their Will is valid and witnesses. Your local legacy relationship manager can help you find someone suitable and answer any questions you have. Find your nearest manager by clicking here.
Executors can be anyone over the age of 18. You can choose friends, family members or your solicitor. And it’s best to name at least two people in case one is unable to act for you. As Cancer Research UK has Trust Corporation Status we can act as an executor in some situations where appropriate. Please contact us if you would like more information by emailing LegacyOperations@cancer.org.uk or calling 020 3469 8797 (please note our phoneline is open between the hours of 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays).
We have to ensure that these monies have been paid to the correct charity and are for the correct amount. Additionally, our auditors like to see a copy of the Will/Will clause to make sure there are no restrictions and to check that the charity is entitled to the funds and using them as our supporter intended. We have to show our auditors we are the correct beneficiary and we're using the gift in accordance with the legator's wishes.
That’s very normal. Writing or updating your Will can feel daunting, but we're here to support you in anyway you may need.
We have a team of legacy relationship managers spread around the UK to support with your questions big or small. To find your local legacy relationship manager, click here.
It’s incredibly helpful to know the status of your pledge so our researchers and scientists can plan life-saving cancer research for the future. It will also enable us to thank you for your gift and ensure you don’t receive any unwanted communications. Let us know where you're at in the process by taking our quick survey.
We’re so grateful that you’re considering leaving a gift in your Will. After taking care of your loved ones, you can choose which gift you would like to leave Cancer Research UK. The 3 main types of gift people leave are:
Percentage share - you choose a percentage share of your estate to gift to charity. This type of gift is the most valuable because it’s inflation-proof.
Lump sum - a fixed amount that can lose its value over time as costs increase.
Specific gift - a particular item, such as a car, jewellery or property.
But, there are other ways of leaving us gifts if you'd prefer. We recommend you speak to a solicitor about the various alternatives.
Definitely. Gifts of every size can help power progress and beat cancer for future generations. Many people significantly underestimate their assets. Our Will Planner(PDF) can help you work out exactly what you have to leave, and help you when preparing to write your Will.
To make sure your gift reaches us it’s important that you include our full name and charity number in your Will. Our full name is Cancer Research UK. Our Registered Charity Numbers are: England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), Isle of Man (1103) and and Jersey (247).
Over a third of the money we raise to beat cancer is from gifts in Wills. Over 78p of every £1 donated will be spent on preventing, controlling and curing all cancers. The rest we will be used to help raise funds for the future.
Your gift could be used to help fund research into cancer in a variety of ways. Find out more on the impact of a gift. If you’d like to discuss how your gift might be used then please feel free to contact us – you’ll find our Legacy Relationship Manager’s contact details linked at the bottom of the page.
Yes. We understand that you may want your gift to go towards research into a certain type of cancer or to provide support in your local area. Just get in touch with our Legacy Team on 020 3469 8797 for more information on restricting your gift. Please note our phoneline is open between the hours of 10am and 2pm Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
Giving a gift to Cancer Research UK could reduce your inheritance tax liability. Gifts to charities are 100% tax free and taken out of your estate before any inheritance tax is calculated.
Under current law, if you leave 10% of your net estate to charity, it may reduce the overall rate of inheritance tax you pay. Find out more about Capital Gains Tax and inheritance tax.
Absolutely. If you're thinking about leaving a gift in your Will, or have some further questions, our Legacy Relationship Managers are here to help. Get in touch with them.
Your solicitor or Will-writer may offer to keep your original Will as part of their service. Make sure you keep a copy along with any other useful information that will help your executors fulfil your wishes, like your pension and bank account details.
Anyone aged 18 or over can use the service to write or update a simple Will. We would recommend speaking to one of our partnered solicitors to find out what a simple Will means to you.
The service is generally for UK residents. Users abroad should consult a local solicitor. Understanding the different types of Wills
A pair of Wills made by two people (usually partners) with the same Will terms.
A simple Will (also known as a basic Will) is usually a Will where there’s no inheritance tax involved due to the value of your estate, or it can just be a Will with no complex issues. We recommend talking to a solicitor about what a simple Will means to you. Visit our Will-writing page to find out more.
Whether you are writing your Will for the first time, or updating an existing one, our guide helps answer your questions and offers guidance on where to start and what to consider.
Get your free Gifts in Wills GuideVisit our glossary to find simple explanations for common Will-writing and Legacy terms – so you can feel confident and informed every step of the way.
Or feel free to get in touch with one of our Legacy Relationship Managers who can answer any questions that you may have about legacy giving.
