Leave a legacy
Legacy gifts are a vital source of funds for The Institute of Cancer Research, London. They have underpinned our discoveries and achievements in cancer research throughout our history, leading to better diagnosis and treatments for patients.
Make your legacy life-changing
By leaving a gift in your Will to the ICR, you can become a part of the journey to defeat cancer.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about how to leave a gift in your Will to the ICR, please call our Legacy Team on 020 7153 5387 or email [email protected].
How a gift in your Will can advance cancer research
Your legacy could help transform a discovery made in the laboratory into a treatment that saves thousands of lives world-wide.
How do legacy gifts work?
We receive a legacy when someone leaves a gift to the ICR in their Will. If you want to leave us a gift, we recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer to write or update your Will. They’ll make sure it’s properly written, and check there are no mistakes.
There are three different types of legacy you can leave:
1. A share in your estate - this is called a residuary legacy
2. A fixed sum of money - this is called a pecuniary legacy
3. A specific gift - property, shares, jewellery etc.
Having a valid, up-to-date Will is very important to ensure that your loved ones and the causes you care about are provided for after you die. If you already have a Will, it is recommended that you review it every five years as your personal situation could have changed and it may no longer reflect your wishes.
Additional ways you can donate
Leave a legacy
Find out more about making a Will and leaving a legacy gift to fund ground-breaking cancer research.
Will for free service
If you're over 60 and looking to update your Will, you may be eligible for our Will for Free service.
The National Free Wills Network Forum
We have also partnered with The National Free Wills Network which puts you in touch with a solicitor local to you. There are over 900 solicitors involved in the Network, all over the UK.
Make a Will Online
If you prefer to make your Will online, we have partnered with Make a Will Online to offer you the opportunity to create a simple Will digitally - at no cost to you. These Wills are checked by a qualified solicitor, providing you with an easy and reliable option to draft your Will making sure you have provided for your loved ones.
When you make a Will online, you will also gain free access to Capacity Vault, a valuable resource for protecting the wishes outlined in your Will. If you decide to include a gift, we are informed, which helps us with future planning.
Making an online Will through the provided link helps us gather important insights for our planning, such as when a Will is made, the value of pledges, and the types of gifts. With your permission, we can also receive your name and contact information. We understand that some supporters prefer to keep their Wills entirely private. If you wish to do so, you can click this link to create a will online. However you choose to support us, we are deeply thankful for your generosity.
If you would rather work with a solicitor in person or already have one, we fully support this choice. This is particularly important if your estate surpasses the Inheritance Tax threshold, or if it involves complex elements like trusts or overseas assets. Also, if there are any concerns regarding medication or dementia, meeting with a solicitor is recommended. You can find solicitors near you through our Will for Free service stated above or use the National Free Wills Network.
Legacy supporters
Suzanne O’Connor
When Mrs Mair Robinson sadly passed away in 2015, she left the ICR £100,000 in her Will. With her legacy gift she established the Mair and Franklyn Robinson Research Scholarship, to support a young scientist. Suzanne O’Connor was the fortunate PhD student who benefitted from Mrs Robinson’s generosity.
“Legacy gifts mean the ICR can invest in training scientists like me who will lead cancer research into the future. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside scientists who have years of drug discovery expertise.”
Professor Robin Weiss
Professor Robin Weiss, a former Director of The Institute of Cancer Research, decided to add a legacy into his Will to benefit us.
"During my time as Director, I saw the ICR go from strength to strength and I am proud of the impact its research has had now both and now and in the future. I know I want to leave a monetary legacy to match my scientific one.”