Leave a gift in your Will

There are two ways you can leave a gift in your Will to NASS:

1. The National Free Wills Network

NASS is a member of the National Free Wills Network, which means that our Members and supporters can meet with a local solicitor and have a simple Will made, or updated, for free. Here’s how it works:

1. Email us, and we will send your details to the National Free Wills Network.
2. Within three weeks, you will receive a welcome pack in the post with details of all local solicitors participating in the scheme.
3. Contact your chosen Solicitor, and mention the National Free Will Network. The Solicitor will draw up your simple Will, and NASS will cover the cost at a special discounted rate.

There is no obligation to remember NASS in your Will when you use this service, although we hope you choose to do so.

2. Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel provides an online will writing service which means you can create a Will from home for free. Visit the Guardian Angel website today to claim your Will for free.

Q&A

Why do you need my legacy?

NASS is a registered charity and receives no statutory funding. Our life-changing work is only possible because of the support and generosity of our Members and supporters. In recent years, nearly 40% of our income was raised through legacies. Every penny we receive from legacies helps us to transform the care and diagnosis of everyone living with axial SpA.

What type of gifts can I leave to NASS?

There are three different types of legacies you can leave NASS. A residuary legacy is the sum of money left after your specific requests have been made and the debts, tax and costs paid. A pecuniary legacy is a gift of a specified sum of money. A specific legacy is a gift of a particular item such as jewellery, shares, or antiques.

Does the size of my gift matter?

Every gift, large or small, is important to us and makes a significant difference.

What if I already have a Will?

If you have an existing Will but would like to include a gift to NASS, you can make a codicil, which is supplementary to your Will and can make simple changes or additions to it. We recommend that you see a solicitor when making a codicil to advise you about the process and draft the codicil correctly.

Can I have a say in how NASS uses my gift?  

When you leave a legacy to NASS, we promise to use your gift wisely and cost-effectively in a way that will have the most significant impact on people living with axial SpA. But if there’s a specific area of our work that you would like your gift to support, we will make every effort to see that this happens. Please get in touch with Richard Bennett, Senior Fundraising Officer
at fundraising@nass.co.uk, to discuss this in more detail.

What if I change my mind?

Leaving a gift in your Will is a special and personal decision. You can change your mind about leaving a gift to NASS at any time, and we will always respect your decision.

What information should I give my Solicitor?

All legacy gifts should be left to the National Axial Spondlyoarthrtisis Society (NASS). Please use our registered charity numbers 1183175 and SC049746, and our registered address: Ground Floor Unit 6, Cambridge Court210 Shepherds Bush Road, London W6 7NJ. Your Solicitor will advise on the specific wording you need to use for different types of gifts.

What about inheritance tax?

Gifts to charity are exempt from inheritance tax, so NASS will receive the total value of any gift you choose to leave. The government sets the inheritance tax threshold, so this is subject to change. If your estate is liable to attract inheritance tax, leaving a gift to charity can have the effect of reducing the overall tax burden on family and friends. Please consult with your Solicitor to review your personal tax situation when making changes to your Will.

Do I need to tell you that I’ve left a gift in my Will to you?

You don’t have to tell us that you’ve left a gift in your Will to NASS, but we’d love the opportunity to say thank you and to keep you updated about our work and answer your questions.

The impact of your support

• £10 can enable our Helpline team to respond to a call or email and provide guidance and advice to anyone affected by axial SpA.
• £25 could help provide a pack of NASS guidebooks for a local axial SpA clinic.
• £50 could help our team provide 1:1 welfare and benefits support for someone living with axial SpA.
• £100 could help by contributing towards the cost of one of our weekly My AS My Life sessions to help people living with axial SpA manage their symptoms between hospital appointments.
• £250 could help us run an online session to help up to 20 people learn how to manage symptoms of axial SpA, such as extreme pain, severe exhaustion and poor sleep.

We urgently need your support

Your support for NASS and people with axial SpA is more critical than ever:

• As the NHS recovers from the pandemic, 67% of people with axial SpA are being left to cope with debilitating pain, exhaustion and fatigue alone.
• The current economic climate has meant that we have seen a reduction in fundraising income.
• With a cost-of-living crisis, more people than ever need support to claim life-changing disability benefits they are entitled to.

Axial SpA works silently. We don’t.

Axial SpA is an inflammatory condition of the spine and joints.  Inflammation where muscles attach to the bones, causes extreme pain. It’s an invisible and often misdiagnosed condition. Often leaving people feeling powerless, in increasing pain and extreme exhaustion. If left untreated, it can permanently fuse bones together.

NASS is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people with axial SpA. NASS doesn’t receive any statutory funding. We rely on your kindness and generosity, and other people like you, to help us transform the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with axial SpA and help more people live well with the condition sooner.