A bequest is a provision in a Will to donate to a charitable cause. This enables the gifting of property, an insurance policy, cash or other assets from your estate to a designated organisation such as New Zealand Red Cross. Such instructions in your Will enable you to gift to those closest to you as well as helping people in need.
Each year up to 100 million people around the world call on the International Red Cross Movement to provide them with vital and often life-saving assistance. Bequests enable New Zealand Red Cross to provide humanitarian relief where it is needed most.
Leaving a bequest to New Zealand Red Cross guarantees you will continue to help improve the lives of the most vulnerable people.
how do I set one up?
A bequest is established through writing a Will.
everybody needs a will
Making a Will ensures that your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
Your Will enables you to gift to those closest to you as well as helping people in need. Your gift can make a real difference to the most vulnerable people and the future generations that follow them.
In New Zealand, bequests have helped New Zealand Red Cross alleviate suffering and provide care and comfort to Kiwis for more than 80 years. New Zealand Red Cross has provided assistance:
- Throughout the first and second World Wars.
- Following natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
- Across New Zealand each day of every week with services such as meals on wheels, hospital transport, welfare assistance and training and preparing for emergencies.
Bequests also enable us to provide humanitarian relief wherever it is needed worldwide. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is neutral and impartial meaning we will help anyone, anywhere, regardless of nationality, race, religion or political belief.
Bequests to New Zealand Red Cross continue to help make our valuable and important work possible.
what is involved in writing a will?
If you do not have a Will we recommend you see a solicitor or a Trust Company. You will receive professional advice and can be sure that your wishes will be achieved. To find someone to help prepare your Will, you can refer to the Trustees, Executors & Attorneys section of the Yellow Pages.
You will need to:
• Make a list of everyone who you wish to see benefit from your Will, such as family, friends and charities. These are known as beneficiaries of your Will.
• Make a list of your assets including stocks and shares, property, possessions, savings, investments and life insurance.
• Know what you would like each of the beneficiaries to receive.
• Decide who you will appoint as Executor of your Will
• See a solicitor or a Trust Company to have your Will drawn up.
• Keep a copy of your Will in a safe place.
If you have already made a Will, but would like to include a gift to New Zealand Red Cross in it, you can do so by asking your solicitor or Trust Company to make a simple addition to your existing Will. This is called a Codicil.
making a bequest to New Zealand Red Cross is simple
A gift to New Zealand Red Cross is a gift that makes a difference and lives on in memory.
We hope that you will consider leaving a bequest to New Zealand Red Cross. Your gift will help future generations of vulnerable people.
Ways you can help New Zealand Red Cross in your bequest include:
- Provide a percentage of your estate to New Zealand Red Cross.
- Gift the amount left over from your estate once you have provided for loved ones.
- Leave a fixed amount of money to New Zealand Red Cross.
- Leave specified items or property to New Zealand Red Cross.
- Gift a life insurance policy to New Zealand Red Cross.
If you wish to tag your bequest for a specific purpose rather than for general New Zealand Red Cross purposes, we recommend you discuss this with New Zealand Red Cross before you complete your Will. This will ensure your gift can be used in the way you intend.
further information
For further information about making a bequest, the work of New Zealand Red Cross, or any other enquiry please contact us.
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