Gransnetters share the legacy they'd like to leave when they're gone with Cancer Research UK

I will be leaving my estate to be shared equally between my 4 children. I support various charities now and the children are well aware of who they are so it is up to them if they want to make any donations in my name. I do not feel comfortable making bequests to charity after my death, much better to donate now.

Made a joint will years ago, not long after we married, with everything to be split three ways across our three children equally. I do ‘get’ the idea of willing money to a charity if you all feel very supportive of that particular issue but personally think that is an individual choice and will are family commitments to a future for all the family. Obviously the future is unclear, may well be nothing left if the NHS continues to falter towards collapse. I would rather trust my children than a charity to do what is right after I have gone, after all we trained THEM.

At the moment our five children would need their share of our estate if they are to have any hope of getting on the property ladder. This may change in the future in which case we would think again; before I had children my estate was largely left to charity.

My mother in law had cancer in March, 2019. The Christie Hospital were great with her and we did think of leaving some money but had re-written our joint wills the year before. So would give a donation in a charity shop or their tubs you put your loose change into.

there is no charitable donation in my will, although it was written some time ago. I'm not sure whether I would add one when if/when the will gets updated as I'm not keen on deciding a charity now as my chosen charity may change with time. I prefer to donate now to charities.

My father left half his estate to his 3 children and the other half divided equally between his 8 grandchildren. They were thrilled to get the money directly and all used it so wisely. All family members now donate to Motor Neurone as a family member has lived with its devastation for many years. At my father's funeral, a collection was made for the hospice that had cared for him and a generous donation was made.

My husband and I have left money in our wills to Bluebell Hospice which is local and we can see all the good work they do.

I'm planning to leave the house but spending the rest.

In my will I have left everything to various animal charities as I do not have children to leave anything to. My animal companions have been one of the best things in my life and I know much support is needed by these charities.

I support 4 charities every month by direct debit. When I die it is a straight split between my son and daughter. That is assuming my husband were to die first if not it would all be left to him. It is very important to make a will, My brother died intestate he was only 31 and him, his 6 week old son, his wife, her 18 year old sister and 2 friends were killed in a car crash. My parents not only had to deal with the heartach of getting my brother back from France but after the funeral etc was done they had to sort out with a solicitor his assets. This took 5 years to sort and was a nightmare. So a word to everyone please leave a will and then everything will be done in accordance to what you want.

What have you thought about leaving behind?

Yes, but its not out of date - I need to look at it and made additions and deletions

Have you detailed this in a Will?

Yes I have left a donation to several of my most loved charities, cancer research, an overseas charity and NSPCC

Would you consider leaving a gift to charity in your Will?

yes, I would, they need it more than some of my family.

Would Cancer Research UK be a consideration?

Yes it is.

How would you like people to remember you when you’re gone?

Someone whose door is always open, always has time for everybody and had a smile and kind word for everyone.

We have not made a will as yet but when I do I will not leave anything to charity sorry but that's my personal reference i will leave to my daughter

I have no children and will leave everything to charity.

My main concern is that my husband’s first wife does not somehow through his children get a penny out of me.

I used to work for a charity and I know how much they rely upon inheritance donations. You cannot plan for them or put them in your budget because they may to my not appear.

i have not left a gift in my will , but all my fabric, sewing machines, threads are to be sold in aid of charity, about £2000 to a local homeless charity and Marie Curie

I have a current will leaving everything to my two children - but am about to update it leaving a percentage also to my two grandchildren. A difficult decision as this will reduce the amount going to my child that doesn’t have children.
I have decided not to name a charity or amount in my will as things change, charities Chang their focus or even cease. My children are well aware of the charities I support and will make a donation when the time comes.

We already have a will, but it's years old and needs updating.

Our legacy will be left to each other, then our children.

Cancer charities are so important, along with other health charities, and I would like to include a small donation when we make our next wills. However, am slightly reluctant due to hearing about some charities being aggressive when legacies left to them.

We already donate throughout the year, and will consider carefully when making our next wills.

Sadly I won’t be leaving anyone anything although I can’t think of a better cause to leave it to. I had cancer myself and it’s affected the whole of my life and means I can’t work .

I shall be leaving a portion of my estate to Cancer Research UK.
The research into the cancers which afflict many of us is for me of the highest importance.
In my case, I have had breast cancer twice which has resulted in a double mastectomy.
I am at the moment fit and well but I am aware that the cancer could resurface in a different part of my body at any time.It is therefore important for me that the research goes on to try to find the answers to why this disease is so prevalent and what are the causes.
My best wishes to all who are in a similar position to myself and please keep up with your mammogram appointments as these were what detected my cancers at an early stage.

I would like to be remembered as someone who was kind, helpful and for my sense of humour!!

My mother died of cancer and I would like to leave a donation to cancer research.

I've left all my money to charity. 5 named charities, money, mainly the value of my house, split equally. This is because I have no dependants and otherwise the government would get the money, or so I believe.
BUT while I was planning this I read that Cancer Rersearch shops had leaflets about making wills so I thought that would be useful, and went to my local CR shop. The 2 members of staff had never heard of it, insisted there couldn't possibly be such a thing, and started laughing as if I'd made some sort of joke. This was about 10 years ago, I've never been in that shop since, either to donate goods or to buy. And needless to say, CR was NOT included in my will, so missed out on an approx £100k legacy (house current value about £500k). Please train your charity shop staff to treat customers with respect. My neighbour said she'd had rudeness in that shop too, and won't go in again.

Everything is split between children and step-children and Will done a while ago. I didn't consider including for a charity, but might do so if we renew the Wills at some point.

I want my legacy to be about family values.
We don't need to live in each others pockets to care and protect each other.

We have no charity bequests in our will. We do give to charities throughout the year, mainly through 'Just Giving' to support charities our friends are completing events for. Also, we give to particular charities which have touched our lives and the lives of family and friends. These change through time so I wouldn't want to commit to one charity in my will.

My family know I am a keen supporter of Marys Meals and that I would prefer donations to be given to that charity instead of flowers. Otherwise I will let the children choose which charities to support as after care bills and so on you don.t know how much the children will recieve.