Under-45s more willing for their parents to leave legacies than expected, survey shows

Two-thirds wanted their parents to leave on average 16 per cent of their wealth to charity, Remember A Charity says

Two-thirds of people aged between 30 and 45 are willing for their elderly parents to leave considerable gifts to charity in their will, a survey by Remember A Charity has found.

In a survey of 1,000 adults aged between 30 and 45 and 1,000 adults aged over 65, Remember A Charity said that most of the younger generation surveyed said they would be happy with their parents donating on average 16 per cent of their estate to charity.

One in 10 people surveyed said they actively encouraged their parents to use their will to do social good, and 5 per cent said they wanted to see the full estate go to charity.

In comparison, the over-65s surveyed thought an average of 5 per cent of their estate should go to charity.

The survey found that these views were held despite the majority of under-45s claiming they worried about their financial future, accounting 83 per cent surveyed.

The survey also found that 67 per cent had scaled down their inheritance expectations, and only three in ten factor inheritance into their long-term financial planning.

Among the over-65s surveyed, 53 per cent said they were worried about their own finances, and 64 per cent said they were concerned about their children’s finances.

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, said: “This study suggests a shift in attitudes between generations. The older generation is enthused about the concept of leaving a gift, but remains understandably anxious about the need to take care of their families.

“Meanwhile, the under-45s have become less expectant about receiving a sizeable inheritance. They are happy for their parents to make provisions in their will for all those things that matter to them, including good causes.”

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Charlie Gard’s parents announce plans to found a charity in his memory

Chris Gard and Connie Yates say they will use the money raised to pay for their son late Charlie’s treatment to support other children with rare diseases

The parents of Charlie Gard, the baby at the centre of a high-profile legal battle, say they are planning to start a charity with the money they raised for his treatment.

Charlie Gard died on 28 July a week short of his first birthday, as a result of a rare condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome.

His parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, had raised £1.3m via the fundraising platform GoFundMe to take him to America for experimental treatment, but Great Ormond Street Hospital, which was treating the baby, objected, saying the treatment was unlikely to help. Gard and Yates appealed to the High Court against a ruling that treatment should be withdrawn and that Charlie should be allowed to die, but eventually conceded that nothing could be done for him.

Today in a statement on their campaign website, Gard and Yates thanked donors for their support and announced their plans for the money which had been donated.

“In the following weeks we will be setting up The Charlie Gard Foundation: a foundation that will help other children with mitochondrial diseases, and rare childhood illnesses,” the statement said.

The charity will fund research on rare medical conditions, as well as providing information for parents in a similar situation on parental rights and the availability of treatment and expert clinicians.

The statement said: “All existing donations from our GoFundMe fundraising account – and any new donations – will now go towards Charlie’s foundation.”

Go Fund Me has contributed an extra £10,000 to the fund, the statement said, describing the donation as “a wonderful gesture”.

The statement said: “We feel that the foundation will be a lovely legacy for Charlie, and we hope that you will all continue to support us in honouring the life of our little warrior as he helps other poorly children and their families.”

A GoFundMe spokeswoman confirmed its donation but declined to comment further. 

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