Legacy giving: put the hounds in your will
Every dog that comes to us deserves a second chance. A gift in your will helps make sure we are always here to give it.
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Your legacy, their future
A legacy gift is different from any other kind of donation. It does not ask anything of you now; it is a decision you make about the mark you want to leave on the world.
For the hounds in our care, that mark means everything. Legacy gifts are the single most significant source of funding we receive: they allow us to plan, to grow, and to say yes to dogs we might otherwise not be able to help.
Trooper's story
Trooper was abandoned in an Irish pound just days after he had run his seventh race. He was emaciated, covered in pressure sores and terrified of humans. When he came into our care, he would hide in his kennel and hug the wall, hoping we would leave him alone. To see his soulful eyes so full of fear was heartbreaking.
With a gentle, hands-off approach and lots of kindness, he began to trust one person and then another, and life became a little less scary. Once he moved to one of our foster homes, he started gaining confidence: he enjoyed going out for walks, discovered where his treats were kept, learned to play with toys, and to sleep on the sofa.
This great foster home gave Trooper the tools to set him up for the future, and the perfect forever home came up for him soon enough; a home experienced enough to help Trooper flourish, and give him the love and space he needs.
Dogs like Trooper are the reason Forever Hounds Trust exists.
Ways to leave a gift in your will
There are 3 main ways to include Forever Hounds Trust in your will. We recommend taking professional advice when drawing up or amending your will. You can find a solicitor or will-writer in your area via the Remember A Charity directory.
We have set out suggested wording for each type of gift below. You can also download this wording as a document to share with your solicitor.
Residuary gift: a share or percentage of your estate
Recommended wording:
"Subject to the payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses I GIVE the whole/ [or insert percentage %] of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my will to the Forever Hounds Trust (registered charity number: 1131399) absolutely and I DECLARE that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Forever Hounds Trust for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy."
Pecuniary gift: a fixed sum of money
Recommended wording:
"I GIVE the sum of [insert amount] [£] to Forever Hounds Trust (registered charity number: 1131399) and I DECLARE that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Forever Hounds Trust for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy."
Specific gift: a named item or property
Recommended wording:
"I GIVE my [insert description of gift] to Forever Hounds Trust (registered charity number: 1131399) and I DECLARE that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said Forever Hounds Trust for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy."
How it works in 3 steps
Choose your gift type
Decide whether you want to leave a share of your estate, a fixed sum, or a specific item.
Amend your will
Use the suggested wording above, or share it with your solicitor.
Let us know
You are under no obligation to tell us, but we would love the chance to thank you personally.
If you have questions about leaving a gift in your will, please do not hesitate to get in touch at legacy@foreverhoundstrust.org.