Legacy Promotion Ireland launches national campaign to promote legacy giving-

Over 30 charities and voluntary organisations came together, under the auspice of Legacy Promotion Ireland (LPI), to launch a national campaign to promote legacy giving in Ireland, today at The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. According to recent research carried out by The Community Foundation for Ireland, a member of LPI, 62% of Irish people consider leaving a charitable bequest in their will, but in 2008 only 42.5% of people who passed away had made a will and just 12.2% of those left money in their will to a charity. LPI, a consortium group of over 30 charitable organisations, provides useful information on its website MyLegacy.ie, to help make leaving a legacy simple and easy.

LPI will be running a national radio advertising campaign during the month of September to highlight the valuable contribution that Irish people can and do make to charities, by leaving a legacy in their will. LPI is made up of a diverse mix of charities, including those which work in the areas of health, children's issues, overseas development, social issues, human rights and animal protection, to name a few.

 "There are a number of examples of normal, everyday bequests that have been left that have made a real difference," said Nichola Mullen, chairwoman of LPI. "Many people believe that you have to be rich to leave a bequest to an organisation or a group. But that's not the case. Small donations in any form, from cash to a possession, can allow charities to do a lot. There have been a variety of donations to charities in Ireland over the years; from a teapot to a castle, every bequest has made a big difference!"

A recent survey of LPI members found that a legacy of just €5,000 can greatly enhance the work of Irish charities. For example, it would allow for educational programmes and specialist teaching support at The Abbey Theatre; Oxfam could install water pumps and provide water for a whole community in Malawi and The Jack and Jill Foundation could provide a respite nurse for two families for a year.

A box of Horniman's tea and a teapot was donated to the Abbey Theatre, which is among one of many bequests that the Theatre has received. "The daughter of the Horniman tea family (since bought over by Lyons) was the Abbey's first benefactor so we presume that's why we were left this donation. We receive lots of unusual legacies and donations and every one of them is precious to us," said Mairéad Delaney, Archivist, The Abbey Theatre.

Many of the properties owned by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, have been bequeathed to the organisation. "The properties donated to An Taisce are invaluable as they allow us to develop and maintain the rich heritage around Ireland," said John Ducie, Properties & Conservation Office, An Taisce. "Kanturk Castle was the first acquisition in 1900 and since then the Trusts have developed and maintained the building which is a supreme example of the importance of heritage to a local area."

"Our aim is to show people that it doesn't require a huge sum of money to help create a better future for others. For anyone who is interested in leaving a legacy in their will, they should go to www.mylegacy.ie where they will get unbiased, useful information about the process," said Nichola Mullen.