A parting gift to the future

One in three people will develop cancer

Have you written your will yet? It's not something many of us like to think about. But an event in Manchester is encouraging people not only to confront this taboo but also to make a parting gift to charity.

Every year, thousands of people run marathons, climb mountains and cycle the length and breadth of the country in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Yet, of the £17 million invested in cancer research in Manchester in 2008, a third of that came, not from charity events, but from gifts in people's wills.

Now this unseen aspect of charity fundraising is being highlighted with a unique event at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research.

Advice

The Paterson, next door to Christie Hospital in Withington, is one of the UK's most important cancer research facilities.

A PARTING GIFT Only one in three Britons has made a will A third of Cancer Research UK funds come from gifts in wills People in Manchester left £640,000 to the charity in 2008 Other gifts include a Suffragette necklace which sold for £4,800 Royalties from the Morecambe & Wise Show were also left to Cancer Research UK

This is the front line in the battle against cancer, where the charity's funds are spent on developing new techniques for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

In September, for the first time, Cancer Research UK is inviting members of the public from across Greater Manchester inside its laboratories.

The event, called Plan For Tomorrow is to help people find out more about the science as well as offering free specialist advice on writing their will.

There will also be help on planning your retirement income and tips on inheritance tax.

But, if charity begins at home, why should people leave money to charity?

Russel Caulfield, legacy fundraiser for the charity accepts that it's a difficult question.

"Of course, there are reasons why some people don't leave money [to us] in their wills," he said. "For instance, there's probably the fear that people are disinheriting their families and their children."

"But there is another way of looking at it," he added. "That, by leaving money in this way, you're looking after not only your children, but generations to come."

Moira Percival is a family solicitor for Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport. She stressed the importance of having a will, regardless of who the benefactor is.

"Making a will ensures that your wishes are known to all concerned," she said.

"Even if you do want to leave everything to your next of kin, you should make a will confirming this. Even a husband or wife will not automatically inherit everything if their partner dies without a will."

Cancer

Paterson Institute: on the front line in the battle against cancer

One in three people will develop cancer at some point in their lives, and in Manchester, just under 2,000 people are diagnosed every year.

The Paterson Institute is at the forefront of the battle against cancer.

Working closely with the Christie, researchers take promising discoveries 'from bench to bedside' and develop them into potential treatments for cancer.

Current projects include:

• developing cancer treatments with fewer side effects;
• studies into new cancer drugs;
• improving survival in children with leukaemia;
• improving radiotherapy treatment for people with aggressive brain tumours.

Plan For Tomorrow is being held on 19 & 20 September. To book a place, please call 0161 244 5928 between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Places are limited.