The RSN is a small organisation so we cannot report that regular proportions of our income come from legacies, but what we can say is that because we do not receive legacies regularly, every legacy really makes a difference. It is noticed and appreciated, regardless of size and will be put to good use.

One of the largest legacies for some time, over £200K has come from former Life Friend Susan Knight of Canada. Susan visited the RSN on a number of occasions but was never more delighted than when we visited Toronto. Her wonderful gift will enable us to start the Digitisation programme, it will also be put towards underwriting the new staff posts we desperately need but do not currently have the budget for. Then some will go to support our overall financial position, generating interest that will help us to give more student bursaries for which there is only going to be more demand.

As someone who could not get to Hampton Court Palace as often as she wished, I am sure Susan would be thrilled to know her money will support Digitising the Collection and Archive, giving many more people the opportunity to access some of our wonderful pieces.

Over the decades, legacies have transformed the RSN. It was thanks to a legacy donation that the Council was able to go ahead with the Degree programme when government changed their funding policy.

As we look ahead, we want to be able to offer scholarships not just bursaries, but to do that, we will need significantly more legacy funds. To offer one scholarship and bursary to a Future Tutor student, for example, would mean us having designated capital of around £600K. This is an enormous amount which can only be achieved through building legacy income. But when we achieve this, it will make an enormous difference to that individual and ultimately to the RSN to be able to support students individually.

So, please think about leaving a legacy gift to the RSN. It can also help you to offset inheritance tax as gifts to charities are taken out of your estate before taxes are levied. Making a change to your Will is now simpler than ever, although you should always seek professional advice to ensure your wishes will be met. For more information see the RSN website. Click here.  

Making a gift in your will could transform many lives through stitch in the future and enable the RSN to develop and deliver exciting new programmes.

If you would like further information about legacies, please contact Gillian Williams: email [email protected] or call on 020 3166 6936.