'74% of the UK population support charities. When asked, 35% of people say they'd happily leave a gift in their will once family and friends had been provided for. The problem is only 7% actually do...'

Remember A Charity is a consortium of more than 140 charities hosted by the Institute of Fundraising. Its aim to encourage more people to consider leaving a gift to charities in their will, so that it becomes the "norm" rather than the exception.

Many people believe that only celebrities or the super-wealthy leave money to charities when they die, but this couldn't be further from the truth. According to research done by Remember A Charity, without legacies (gifts left in wills):

'Many of the charities we know and support today wouldn't even exist... Legacies are the foundation for many of the charities in the UK and are vital in making sure that all the good work they do can continue. You don't have to be rich and famous to make a contribution that can make a difference.'

Remember A Charity has calculated that if just 11% of the UK population left legacies instead of the 7% who currently do, an additional £1billion could be raised for charitable causes every year, and they've recently launched a national TV and press campaign to help spread the message.

Find out more

Considering leaving a legacy but not sure where to start? The website www.rememberacharity.org.uk has everything you need, from advice on selecting a professional to draw up your will, to an "Estate Calculator" and a very handy "jargon buster." There are also testimonials from donors and charities that have benefited from gifts made in this way.

And just in case you're thinking that all this talk of wills, legacies and estates must be a miserable old business, try watching one of Remember A Charities TV ads below, or taking a look at those press adverts in full. You might be pleasantly surprised!