|
|
||
Manchester lawyers are advising their clients to leave a legacy to their local charity to save them from falling into the inheritance tax trap that is ensnaring millions of ordinary families.
It follows a warning from insurance company Scottish Widows that rising house values have seen soaring numbers caught up in 40% inheritance tax once the value of all assets, including home and savings, goes above £285,000.
Now a growing number of solicitors are endorsing the Heartfelt campaign launched by four leading charities in Manchester to avoid the tax grab. St Ann’s Hospice, the Christie Hospital, Henshaws Society for Blind People and the Together Trust for the welfare of children, which all rely heavily on legacies for their very existence, are getting support from lawyers for their initiative.
Tom Clark, Legacies Officer with Henshaws said: “A growing number of solicitors in Greater Manchester are now endorsing our campaign and are advising their clients of the option to leave a legacy to their local charity as a way to reduce or avoid inheritance tax.”
St Ann’s Hospice fundraiser Fiona Reed remarked: “Seven out of ten people die without making a Will, and with the rise in property values, many more people are falling within the inheritance tax threshold.”
And Toni Leden, Appeals Director at Christie’s commented: “We are asking solicitors to point out to their clients the tax advantages of leaving a legacy to their local charity.”
Meanwhile David Poppitt, Fundraising Manager of the Together Trust, pointed out another bonus in addition to denying the taxman hard earned money. “It’s a proven fact that people who decide to leave a legacy to charity in their Will seem to live longer. Apparently it reflects a well ordered lifestyle which engenders longevity,” he explained.
Pictured
cutting the ribbon to open St Ann’s Hospice new charity shop in Turves
Road, Cheadle Hulme, is Chief Executive Terry McDonnell, with Area Shop Manageress
Fatma McLaughlin. Welcoming them at the door are volunteers Molli Turner and
Gwyneth Broadhurst.
St Ann’s now has seven shops, and another two new openings are planned this year.
Fatma, who fitted out the new shop, said: “We had a tremendous response from supporters who started bringing in clothing and items for us to sell as soon as we opened.”
More than 60 clinical and administrative staff at St Ann’s Hospice covering Greater Manchester have received Professional Development Grants enabling them to expand their knowledge through a range of courses.
These opportunities have become available through a £150,000 training fund donated to Help the Hospices, the national charity for the hospice movement by HSA, part of the Simplyhealth Group
Staff at hospices throughout the UK have been applying for grants from the fund to enhance their skills and expertise. This ensures they are kept up-to-date with the latest developments in caring for people with life-threatening illnesses, thereby improving the quality of care given to hospice patients and their families.
Over the past year 65 members of staff at St Ann’s Hospice have received a training grant worth over £11,000. St Ann’s Chief Executive, Terry McDonnell said: “This is additional training that we would not have been able to fund ourselves, as 89.4p in every pound St Ann’s raises as a charity goes directly toward patient care.”
Chris Harrison, Managing Director of HSA said: “We believe in supporting healthcare initiatives for the benefit of our community now, and in the future. That’s why we are privileged to be able to support Help the Hospices in offering these grants, which are essential in maintaining and developing the exceptionally high level of care that Hospices provide”
