The Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) is encouraging islanders to consider how they would like to be remembered and whether their legacy could be the long-term success of a local charity, as part of Jersey Legacy Week this year.

Taking place next week (9th – 15^th September), Jersey Legacy Week coincides with Remember a Charity Week in the UK and aims to bring together charities, lawyers and other professional advisers to highlight both the importance of making a will and the impact gifts left in wills can make to charitable organisations, no matter how big or small.

Over the course of the week, the AJC will be running an online campaign through its social media channels to explain how easy it is to make a will and highlight how doing so can help loved ones and make things a lot easier at what could otherwise be a very difficult time.

In addition, the campaign will urge islanders to consider making a gift, large or small, to a cause close to their heart through their will, featuring a number of case studies and video stories.

UK figures show that, over the past 30 years, legacy incomes for charities have quadrupled in value from £0.9bn in 1993 to £4.0bn in 2023/24 (Legacy Futures).

However, Jersey Legacy Week comes as Jersey’s charity sector faces significant operational and financial challenges. An AJC survey last year found that 89% of local charities have seen their costs to operate and deliver services rise over the past year, whilst more than half of charities have (57%) have seen a drop in their annual fundraising income.

In addition, an FOI request submitted on behalf of the AJC earlier this year found that donations to Jersey charities have fallen by 33% since 2021.

Commenting on Jersey Legacy Week, Marcus Liddiard, Chairman of the AJC, said: “There’s no doubt that charities in Jersey are finding themselves in a hugely challenging situation at the moment, faced with falling fundraising incomes and rising operational costs. The good news is, though, that legacy donations are on the rise – and leaving a gift to a charity that is close to your heart is easy to do through a will, and can make a real difference to their long-term ability to deliver services in the local community,

“Not only is creating a will the best way to support the causes you care about, it is also a really positive way to be remembered at what can be a difficult time for a family. That’s why this Jersey Legacy Week, we want to inspire islanders to think about whether they want to create a will that can benefit others - and we’re convinced that ‘Jersey Will’.”

Lesley Harrison, Head of Charitable Services at Autism Jersey, added: "Legacy gifts offer financial stability, allowing charities to plan and invest in long-term projects. Your generosity and commitment to your chosen charity, will not only leave a lasting memory, but ensure that the causes you hold dear, continue to receive support and resources into the future." 

Further information can be found here on the AJC website and the AJC Facebook here.

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