Dog Aid Society of Scotland is participating Remember A Charity in Your Will Week (5th – 11th September) –

an annual awareness week which aims to encourage people to leave a gift to charity.

Kind-hearted Brits left gifts in Wills to 10,670 different charities last year, the highest number recorded over the past decade, according to research marking the start of Remember A Charity Week.

The Smee & Ford data reveals that there were 37,242 charitable estates in 2021, a 10.7% increase on the number reported for 2020. The value of charitable estates increased by nearly £2bn from £17.9bn to £19.8bn, a growth of almost 11%.

Gifts in Wills are a critical source of funding for charitable services across the country, raising more than £3 billion for good causes annually.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic hit charities hard, with many seeing a decrease in donations at a time when they were needed most, putting their vital work at risk. With the continuing impact of the pandemic, changing economic circumstances and rise in cost of living, many charities are yet again experiencing an increase in demand, whilst struggling with their own additional costs.

Yesterday marked the start of Remember A Charity Week, an opportunity for charities around the country to raise awareness of passing on something wonderful by including a charity in your Will after family and friends have been taken care of.

The Dog Aid Society of Scotland receives no government funding and relies on donations, grants and legacies to keep helping dogs around Scotland. Our Neutering Voucher, Veterinary Aid and Rehoming Schemes are currently helping double the number of dogs compared to last year and with a few months to go until the end of 2022. Leaving a gift in your Will for Dog Aid Scotland would go a long way to help us secure for the future our services in supporting dogs with medical needs or finding dogs a new forever home. Like Buttons, featured on this year’s RAC Week posters, who came to the Society for rehoming 8 years ago and enjoyed a comfortable, loving home for the rest of his life.

Former head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, Len Goodman, and TV Presenter Janet Ellis will be lending their support to the week.

Len Goodman, head judge on Dancing with the Stars, commented “I am honoured to be supporting Remember A Charity Week for the fifth year running and to have met some of the inspiring people working hard for a range of charitable causes.

“However big or small, leaving a gift to charity in your Will once your friends and family are taken care of is a marvellous thing. I’ve done it myself – it’s so simple and it really does make an enormous difference!”

Janet Ellis, Former Blue Peter Presenter, Writer and Actress, commented “Remember A Charity Week is a great opportunity to recognise the incredible work carried out by our charities across the country, and encourage people to support them by leaving a gift in their Will. Whatever you’re able to give, every amount can make a big difference. Let’s pass on something wonderful to the next generation.”

Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity, says: “It’s been inspiring to see how charitable the British public has been throughout the Covid pandemic and aftermath. With the rise in cost of living creating yet another challenge, we know how hard it is to consider where our money goes. No matter how big or small, leaving a gift to charity in your Will is a great way to help safeguard their future and enable them to continue their crucial work.”

For more information on how to leave a gift in your Will or more about Remember a Charity Week, go to the Remember a Charity website here.