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Wills & Legacies

Leaving a goodhearted gift in your Will is not only a wonderful gesture but a way to help provide rescued farm animals with the peaceful and happy lives they deserve.

October is Free Wills Month 🖋

Free Wills Month is an initiative that offers members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their simple Wills written or updated free of charge.

Why we need your help

Here at Goodheart, we believe that animals should not be confined to cramped cages or overheated pens – they should be free to feel grass beneath their feet and the sun on their faces. Our sanctuary, set in the rolling hills of Worcestershire, has been established with this ethos in mind, and currently provides a home to over 300 formally farmed animals, including pigs, cows, sheep and chickens.

Many of our residents faced dire circumstances before arriving at our sanctuary. Your donation could support the care of our existing residents as well as helping more animals in desperate need of help. After all, what could be more special than the gift of life?

Why leave a gift in your will?

  • A Will contribution really is the gift that keeps on giving and will leave a lasting legacy of kindness to animals who need it most. 
  • We rely heavily on donations to fund our charity work. A gift in your Will can provide critical support, helping to sustain our efforts and expand our reach to more animals in need.
  • There are financial advantages to leaving money in this way. As well as the charitable gift itself being tax-free, leaving a donation in your Will can reduce the value of your estate so that it falls below the nil-rate band, meaning that no Inheritance Tax is payable on the rest of your assets.

Why choose Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries?

  • We are the very first farm animal sanctuary in Europe to be Verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries – a testament to our high welfare standards and ethical operating procedures. Learn more about our Verification here.
  • The quality of life given to our animals is second to none – our residents have access to lush, spacious pastures, native woodland, and a warm cosy bed to call their own.
  • Every resident is treated as an individual, with a care plan tailored to them and everything they need to live a happy, healthy, and enriching life.
  • The welfare of our animals will always come first. We don’t and will never overcrowd our sanctuary, which means animals are given the space they need to explore, play and graze in comfort.

Ruth's story

A visit to our sanctuary inspired Ruth and her mum to leave a legacy donation…

“I became aware of Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries after attending their annual open weekend. I looked around and was blown away by the work being done, including the incredible projects like the Pig Barn & Woodland and the new Home for Rescued Hens. As I learned more about the charity, it was clear just how well their animals are cared for: every individual is known by name, from energetic piglets right through to elderly ponies, and as they age, the residents even have their own dedicated care and treatment plans.

The Goodheart team are doing such important work caring for all the different species of animals alongside their impressive education and outreach work. They do all of this for the animals and so my mum and I decided to leave them a legacy in our Wills, knowing it will go towards such a fantastic cause.”

Leave a legacy in your will today

Ruth pictured with her mum, Ann.

What are the different types of Will gift?

You can give any of the below gifts to charity, however pecuniary and residual gifts are the most common:

Residual gift

A gift of the ‘residue’ of an estate is what is left (or a portion of what is left) after any bills, debts, taxes or pecuniary gifts have been paid.

Pecuniary gift
This is a gift of a specific sum of money, made to a charitable cause or person of your choice.

Specific gift
This is a particular item i.e., property or piece of jewellery.

Where will the money go?

When you leave a gift to Goodheart in your Will, the money can go towards various purposes depending on our needs and your preferences. Here are some potential destinations for the funds:

  • Helping us care for the 300+ rescued animals at Goodheart Farm Animal Sanctuary.
  • Contributing to our core running costs, helping towards animal feed, vet bills and more.
  • Carrying out importance maintenance and repairs to our site, to keep it running smoothly for our residents.

  • Capital campaigns or building funds, which are used for projects such as constructing new facilities, renovating existing structures, or purchasing equipment.

If you have any questions, our friendly team will be only too happy to advise on how your donation can support our small charity.

Will I receive recognition?

We are passionate about recognising the valued contributions of our supporters and we would be only too happy to celebrate your legacy, whether that’s through a mention in our newsletter, or a plaque at our sanctuary.

How to leave a gift to Will Goodheart

It is very easy to leave a Goodhearted gift in your Will. We suggest following these steps for your peace of mind:

  • Appoint a solicitor so that your wishes are fulfilled as you would want them to be.  You can find a solicitor local to you through the Law Society website www.lawsociety.org.uk
  • Decide on the people and/or organisations you would like to leave your assets to. To leave a gift to Goodheart you will need our charity information: Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries, Head Office, The Nickless, Milson, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY14 0BE, Registered Charity Number 1162923
  • Appoint one or more Executor/s, this can be a friend, relative or solicitor who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes and the instructions in your Will
  • Make a copy of your Will and tell someone you trust the location of the original, ask your solicitor for advise on this
  • Although entirely optional, we would love for you to let us know if you plan to leave us a gift in your Will. This way, we can express our gratitude with a special thank you from our team and the animals we care for.

Please note: we strongly advise consulting with a solicitor before making any changes to your Will.​

Contact us today

To arrange a confidential chat about leaving a gift in your Will, simply fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you.