It’s worth noting that, even leaving aside the fact that you may want to leave some of your money to charity, writing a will is a prudent thing to do. If you pass away without one, your assets will be distributed according to Irish law, rather than according to your own wishes.

Other reasons to take the time to write a will include:

  • Reducing the inheritance tax incurred – leaving money to charity allows for this.
  • Making provision for your children (e.g. choosing who will take care of them and setting aside funds for this).
  • Making any other necessary provisions, such as for your pets, or your business, or other responsibilities that you have.
  • Specifying what sort of funeral you would like, taking the pressure off your family from having to make these decisions.
  • Declaring that you would like your organs donated. Be sure to tell your family about your wishes, in case it comes up unexpectedly.
  • Naming your executors (family members are a standard choice).

Why support the asthma society in your will?

The Asthma Society of Ireland is the national charity dedicated to empowering Ireland’s 450,000 people with asthma to take control of their asthma by providing them and their families with information, education, services and support. We are focused on representing people with asthma and working to improve their health outcomes.

We will continue to actively engage with the public, healthcare professionals, the Government, and other stakeholders to keep asthma high on the agenda with policy makers and politicians and in the public consciousness. We will advocate on behalf of people with asthma to ensure that they receive the best possible care, treatment, information, and support.

Despite its prevalence and its social, economic and personal impact, in many ways asthma remains a forgotten disease. It has had a low priority when compared with some other chronic and serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. But there is a National Asthma Programme, approved in 2011, so our priority is and will be to advocate for its full implementation – which at a time of economic difficulties is extremely challenging.

We will continue to push for better services and care management and for initiatives at a national level to address the high cost of asthma care for people with asthma and their families.

Tips on making your will

Before making a will, think about how you would like to look after your family and friends. You may also wish to leave a gift to charity, to ensure your legacy is one that makes a difference to people in need.

The Citizens Information Office set clear requirements of a valid will:

  • You must be over 18 (if you are or have been married you can be under 18)
  • You must be of sound mind
  • You must sign or mark the will or acknowledge the signature or mark in the presence of two witnesses.
  • Your two witnesses must sign the will in your presence
  • Your two witnesses cannot be people who will gain from your will and they must be present with you at the same time for their attestation to be valid. The witnesses’ spouses/civil partners also cannot gain from your will.
  • Your witnesses must see you sign the will but they do not have to see what is written in it.
  • The signature or mark must be at the end of the will.
  • The will must be in writing

Advice on leaving a charitable gift in your will

  1. Decide how much you want to leave to charity: The main choice here is whether you want to leave a fixed amount to your chosen charity, or else first make provision for your family and then leave the remainder.
  2. Contact a solicitor: One of the reasons why so many people pass away without having written a will every year is that they don’t realise how easy writing a will really is (unless your financial affairs or wishes are unusually complex). It is possible to do it yourself by using a template, although using a solicitor is the safest option as it will ensure that your will is valid.
  3. Consider inheritance tax: Leaving money to charity will reduce the inheritance tax payable. Talk to your solicitor and they will advise you on the best way approach to take.
  4. Pick your charity and find out how to leave money to them: You’ll need to specify your chosen charity or charities after you have ensured you have taken care of your family, friends and other responsibilities first.

Please remember to take your time, visit your solicitor and put your will in place. It is a straightforward process and will give you the peace of mind that your family, friends, other responsibilities and charities of your choice will benefit as per your wishes when you are gone.

Contact us

Contact us on 01 8178 886 or email fundraising@asthma.ie and we will be very happy to answer any query you have to help you with your decision.