Making a Will is an important way of looking after the future of your family and friends. After you’ve taken care of loved ones, you may wish to leave a gift in your Will to other organisations.

It’s a little known fact that most charities and good causes wouldn’t survive without gifts in Wills. By remembering your favourite charities and good causes in this way, you’re ensuring that their good work lives on.

The donation can be as small or large as you like.

If you should choose to leave a gift to a good cause you should also make a note of the official good cause name and in our case, the Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd, c/o The Secretary, Cruach House, Carrick Castle, Argyll, PA24 8AF,  to give to your solicitor when writing a Will.

If you want to leave a gift but you’ve already made a Will, that’s no problem – there are a couple of ways you can change it.

1. Write a new Will

The simplest way is to write a new Will. Once written, any Wills made by that person in the past become void. In fact, most Wills will start by reciting that you’re writing a Will and that you’re revoking previous Wills.

You can write a new Will with a solicitor.

2. Codicils

The other way is to write a codicil, which is a document used to make changes to an existing Will.

It’s used as a way to make simple amendments like adding a charity, changing a gift amount or adding an executor. This is all quite straightforward but problems can occur if you ever want to cancel the Will in the future.

When you cancel a Will that contains a codicil, the codicil does not get cancelled automatically, so when you write a new Will it can create inconsistencies and legal problems. To avoid this, make sure that any new Will clearly states that you are revoking all Wills and codicils previously made.

You can also write a codicil using a solicitor.

3. If you have no Will then you can write a Will

You can write a Will with a solicitor.

4. In Memoriam Giving

In Memoriam Donations are a special way to support a cause that has touched someone’s life; by providing donations rather than flowers.

5. Adopt a Tree

Another way to remember a loved one or an event is by adopting a newly planted native tree or a grove of native trees with a plaque.
The charge is £5.00 to adopt a tree or £40.00 to adopt a grove of 10 trees. A group can adopt a grove sharing the cost.

You can have a post (£5.04 at cost, May 2022) and plaque erected if you wish – contact the Secretary for further information – Secretary@cormonachan-woodlands.co.uk or telephone 01301 703098.

As at 10th June 2022, 8 groves, one of 200, two of 100 and another of 25 trees and four of 10 trees each have been adopted by members and supporters.

The Cormonachan Community Woodlands  would be very grateful for any Legacies or In Memoriam Giving for to our not-for-profit organisation that manages the Cormonachan Community Woodlands with volunteers providing education, recreation and conservation for the benefit of the communities of Carrick Castle and Lochgoilhead.