In friendship and in service, one to another, we are pledged to
keep alive the memory of those of all Nations who died in
the Royal Air Force and in the Air Forces of the Commonwealth.

In their name we give ourselves to this noble cause
Proudly and thankfully we will remember them.

Why do I need a will?

Making a will is not something you can afford to put off until tomorrow. Your will is the only way you can ensure that your money, personal possessions and property (your estate) are distributed in the way in which you wish.

The earlier you organise your will, the better you protect the ones you love and relieve them from dealing with difficult issues at a time when they will be in deep pain.

According to the law, if you have died without making a will, you have died intestate. Your property will be divided according to the Administration of Estates Act and, if you have no next of kin, everything you own may pass to the Crown.

How do I go about making a will?

It is best to consult a solicitor before making a will. They
can ensure that your wishes have been recorded clearly and correctly. Although this entails some cost, it is money well spent. Find out at the beginning what this cost is likely to be, and ask if you are eligible for Legal Aid, which is available in very limited circumstances.

If you do not have a solicitor, ask a friend to recommend one.

Your solicitor can advise on tax concessions, inheritance tax, and how to make a bequest to a charity such as The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA). All gifts to charity are wholly exempt from inheritance tax. The value of your estate for tax assessment is reduced by the value of your gift, so that the tax can be reduced or eliminated.

Before you visit your solicitor, think about what you own and who you would like to benefit from your will. As well as your husband or wife, you may wish to provide for your children, grandchildren, other family members or friends.

Once your specific bequests have been made, and your liabilities have been paid, whatever is left over is called the residue. When you have remembered your family and friends, you may wish to leave all, or part of this, to a charity such as RAFA.

Next, you should choose your executor - the person who will ensure that your wishes are carried out. It is usual to appoint two executors and you could choose your husband or wife, one of your children or a close friend. You can also choose your solicitor or bank manager, for which there will be a charge. If you choose a professional executor, find out first what the cost is likely to be.

Your executors may be beneficiaries from your estate and they can claim for expenses incurred in the administration of your will. Finally, you need to choose two independent people to witness your will. They must not be beneficiaries or husbands or wives of beneficiaries. Usually members of the solicitor's staff will be happy to witness your will for you.

How do I change my will?

There may be occasions when you need to change your will. You may want to add someone to your will. You may marry or remarry and your will is automatically invalidated on marriage or remarriage unless it is made in contemplation of that marriage. You may want to include a charity such as RAFA.

The original document should never be altered. If there is a minor change, your solicitor can add a codicil. This is an extra instruction which can be added at any time and alters your will in the way you want.

If there are substantial changes you should make a new will, revoking the former one.

Finally, bear in mind that your will can only be executed if it can be located. One way to ensure your will can easily and quickly found is to register it with a central national will register, such as the Willindex Will Register.

Why leave a legacy?

RAFA was founded in 1943 to offer  comradeship and welfare assistance to all those who served or are serving in the Air Forces of the Crown and their dependants.

We help over 50,000 Royal Air Force men and women each year, relying totally on legacies and voluntary donations to fund our vital welfare service.

We offer a wide range of welfare assistance :

• Full-time residential nursing and short welfare breaks at our homes in Storrington, Rothbury, Lytham St Annes and Weston-super-Mare.
• Residential nursing and respite care close to an individual's family or friends, funded by RAFA.
• Sheltered housing in Moffat, Rothbury and Storrington.
• Supportive housing at our Eagle Lodge in Melton Mowbray.
• Advice on war pensions and benefit claims and hospital and home visits via our network of 600 Voluntary Welfare Officers, who offer practical assistance daily in their local communities.

Terms explained…

By leaving a legacy to RAFA, you can help us to continue our vital work for years to come.

If you would like to remember RAFA in your will, the following details may be helpful to your solicitor.

If you wish to direct your legacy to a specific RAFA Home, we are only too pleased to respect such wishes wherever possible. We will gladly advise on the best way of wording your will if you would like your bequest to be used to endow a room or flat in a loved one's name or provide extra amenities in a particular home.

If you have any queries about making a bequest to RAFA, you wish to re-direct a bequest that you have received from someone else, or you wish to set up a Trust Fund to benefit a particular project or home, please contact :

The Financial Director,
THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION
117½ Loughborough Road, 
Leicester, 
LE4 5ND
Telephone 0044 116 266 5224

We are also grateful to receive donations in lieu of flowers.
In the name of all our friends, thank you very much for your support.

How to value your estate

Before visiting your solicitor, it will save you both time and money if you have made a list of your assets and liabilities, so that you know exactly what you have to leave in your will. Here is a checklist to help you.

YOUR ASSETS :

YOUR LIABILITIES :

How to make a codicil

If you have already made your will, and you want to make a bequest to RAFA, you should consult your solicitor about the precise wording to use.

To assist you, here is the wording of a typical codicil :

1. I give the sum of £ .............................................

to THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION of 117½ Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5ND (Registered Charity No. 226686) for its charitable purposes.
I further direct that the receipt of the Secretary General or other proper officer of The Royal Air Forces Association for the time being shall be full and proper discharge for the said legacy.

2.IN ALL other aspects I confirm my said WILL

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this......................(date)
.................day of (month)..............(year)......................

SIGNED by the said (name).....................................................
Testator/Testatrix in our joint presence and by us in his/hers :

A token of appreciation

If you make a pledge to remember RAFA in your will, you will receive a RAFA Forget­me­Not Brooch as a small token of our appreciation.
Simply complete the pledge form below and return it to the following address

The Direct Fundraising Coordinator (GW03),
THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION
117½ Loughborough Road, 
Leicester, 
LE4 5ND
Telephone 0044 116 268 8756

You do not need to give details of your pledge to RAFA. However, any information you give us would be gratefully received, as it helps us to plan ahead for the future. Your pledge is completely confidential and is not binding in any way.

PLEDGE

I want to remember The Royal Air Forces Association in my will

My legacy is in the form of