23 November, 2006
Do you have the Will to change the future?
ask Australian charities
Australian Red Cross, Mission Australia,
Heart Foundation and
The Cancer Council Australia have joined forces for the first
time to ask Australia “do you have the Will to change the
future?”
Together they have created Include a Charity, a campaign to
raise awareness and dispel myths about an issue which is common
to them all - the importance of updating your Will and including
a bequest to charity.
“It is currently estimated that around 8% of Australians
make charitable bequests, equating to over 10,000 bequests per
year,” says Martin Paul, spokesperson for Include a Charity.
“And every year bequests may provide such things as research,
information and support for the 3.5 million Australians affected
by cardiovascular disease, the 88,000 people diagnosed with cancer,
100,000 homeless Australians and the 40,000 people affected by
disasters such as bushfires and floods,” says Mr Paul.
“These charities already do so much, however if everyone
included a charity in their Will imagine how much more each charity
could achieve."
“Include a Charity wants people
to know that leaving a bequest is not about depriving your family
and friends. It is about assisting the charities that have shaped
your life to continue their work for future generations,” says
Mr Paul.
“Australians are renowned for their generosity. Many of
us often support charities, doing our bit to help the homeless,
support the local school or to fund the local club, to name but
a few worthwhile causes. But what surprises many people is that
it is bequests, made through Wills, that add up to be the largest
source of voluntary income for charities today.”
“Charities are becoming increasingly dependent on bequests
or gifts in Wills. Without such donations we would not be able
to help so many people through the most difficult periods of
their lives,” says Mr Paul.
“We want people to know that anyone can leave a bequest.
Bequests are not necessarily left by the very wealthy, but by
people who want to support one or more causes thereby leaving
the world a better place.”
“I encourage others to think strongly about updating their
Will and having the Will to shape the future by including a charity.”
“Everyone at Include a Charity wants to voice their appreciation
for those people who are so generous and assist charities to
continue doing their vital work,” says Mr Paul.
For further information please call the bequest information
line on 1800 400 300 or visit the website at www.includeacharity.com.au
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