My name is Gary Kelly and I have recently joined Brain Tumour Research as a Gifts in Wills Manager.

Leaving a gift in a Will is a very personal decision, that not only affects the individuals but also their family.

Our supporters often talk about how looking after their family and friends first is really important to them when writing their Will, with many now also considering supporting Brain Tumour Research with a legacy, which is an amazing way to continue to support the charity. 

Having gone through so much in his life, including over 100 cycles of chemotherapy, since being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2008, Ben Lindon, one of our long-standing supporters and fundraisers, has decided that a Legacy is another way that he would like to support.

Ben has already raised thousands of pounds by (walking, cycling and kayaking to name a few) but now he would like to support the charity with a lasting contribution. He feels that being a voice for Brain Tumour Research during Remember a Charity week will encourage more supporters to remember the charity in this way, and will make a big difference in the years to come. 

Ben said: “For me, by leaving a gift in my Will I know that my commitment and continued support will help with the funding and vital research that is needed into brain tumours and that leaves me with a great feeling of serenity.”    

Legacies will play a vital role in the future research into brain tumours. To help raise awareness of this and to make it easier for people to understand the value of leaving a gift to support our work, we’ve joined forces with Remember A Charity, a national consortium working to promote awareness of leaving gifts to charities in Wills.

With 35% of people in the UK saying they would consider including a gift to charity after providing for their family and friends in their Will, only 7% are actually doing so. This shows just how huge the potential is to grow support for the vital work of charities from gifts in Wills.

Ben is one of many people that have already decided to leave a gift in their Will but we also know that there are so many more of our supporters who would like to remember us in this way and making the biggest difference for generations to come. 

As I head into my seventh week here at Brain Tumour Research, I’m already in awe not just because of what our committed and passionate supporters have done for us already, but also what they are preparing to do for the future.

By sharing Ben’s story today, we hope that his own personal battle will encourage more people to think about how they can help continue our work to live on and support us in rewriting the future for brain tumour patients.