Mary McEvoy says ‘pay it forward’ by including a legacy gift in your will

Star of stage and screen Mary McEvoy is calling on people in Westmeath to consider including a gift for a charity in their will, ahead of International Legacy Giving Day, tomorrow Wednesday September 13.

The former Glenroe icon is this year’s ambassador for My Legacy Month, which runs throughout September, and is asking people to consider what their own legacy might be and how a gift, large or small, could have a big impact for a charity in Westmeath and across Ireland.

“I think there’s this idea that it’s the millionaires who can make a big difference for a charity or good cause,” Mary said, “when the truth is that every single gift counts and they all add up to something meaningful for Irish charities and for the people and animals and environments they support.

“At home in Westmeath, I have been planting trees for many years now and every single one starts with a small seed. That forest will hopefully be there for many more generations to come. As a society we can have that same impact for future generations by including a gift for a charity in our wills now.

“Perhaps there is a charity that has supported you or someone you care about directly, or a charity that is standing up for those across the world who need our support. Whatever cause is close to your heart, you can plant that seed for the future right now by choosing a charity to include in your will.”

Legacy Giving in Action

‘My Legacy’ is made of more than 90 Irish charities including Westmeath-based charities Chime and Pieta. As part of My Legacy Month, charities are asking people in Westmeath to ‘Plant a seed and grow their legacy by including a gift in their will’.

John O’Brien’s father received palliative care at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services in Blackrock, Dublin. John has since included a legacy gift for the charity in his will. He says: “The palliative care team who came out to look after my father, and all of us, were two of the warmest people you could ever meet. They looked after him so well and made him comfortable – which was such a relief to us.

“Through a legacy gift for Our Lady’s Hospice, I can thank them for the wonderful thing they did for my dad and make it possible for them to help another family in the future. Isn’t it great to be able to do something for a stranger like that? Knowing, as I do, how much that help will mean to someone when they need it in the future.”

Call for Westmeath TDs to help make legacy-giving the norm

On behalf of their 90 charity members, My Legacy are also calling on the government to include a VAT exemption on will-making when a charitable bequest is included in that will, in Budget 2024.

According to My Legacy, Irish charities could see €112.5 million in additional legacy gifts over the next decade if VAT was made exempt on the cost of will-making where a charitable bequest was included.

Niall O’Sullivan, chairperson of My Legacy, says that such a VAT exemption would remove a crucial structural barrier to will-making and to legacy giving. “It have a significant impact on supporting the important work of charities in Irish society into the future, and it would also break down another barrier that is holding people in Ireland back from making a will. We know that only three in 10 people in Ireland have made their will and yet it is one of the most important, practical things that a person can do in their lifetime for their loved ones.

“We’re calling on TDs here in Westmeath to put their support behind My Legacy’s request for Budget 2024, and to play their part in creating sustainable social change in Ireland.”

Three simple steps to writing a will

According to My Legacy, the three simple steps involved in writing a will are:

1. Make an appointment with a solicitor to discuss your wishes and decisions for the future.

2. Look after loved ones: a will provides for your loved ones, assigns guardians, protects assets, and can help reduce inheritance tax.

3. Consider a legacy gift to charity: if you have a cause close to your heart, consider including a gift to that charity in your will. A gift may be big or small and is tax free.

Further information on how to make a will and the My Legacy Month campaign is available at mylegacy.ie.