Legacy fundraising is a notoriously sensitive subject, but when we asked people on the street whether they would leave money to charity in their will, they were surprisingly open.

Kimberley Bailey, student

You don’t need that money once you’re gone and obviously these charities are always in search of people to donate. Personally, I would want to ensure that my family was secure. But I think I will leave money to charity in my will as a legacy and if it’s possible, leave some money aside for my family to decide which charity it should go to. I already donate to Red Cross so I’d probably carry on with that and natural disaster relief.

Danielle Stacey, student

Legacies are a brilliant idea. I think the reason people are reluctant to give money away to charity when they pass away is because it’s not promoted enough. Older people are probably going to watch TV more so emotive adverts there might appeal to them, but you have to target young people on the internet. Things like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and even Spotify, will attract their attention a more.

Vicky Patterson, freelance broadcaster

I would leave money to charity in my will, maybe to cancer charities – but not pets! It would be interesting for people to be able to leave legacies for specific types of research. I know it would be hard to know what kind of research might be taking place when you died, but people would like to be better informed of what the money was to be spent on. It would be interesting to know what happens to unclaimed inheritance – is there a system for that to be left to charities?

Adam Laird, e-learning instructional designer

I donate to charity but I haven’t considered leaving a legacy because I don’t have loads of money, so it would have to go to my kids and wife. The one thing that would convince me would be if there was a tax write-off. I’m sure there is something like that and if it was better advertised it would be an incentive. It would make a difference because otherwise that money’s just going to go to the tax man.

Natasha Spurr, sous chef

I did think about it when I was making my will and then kind of dismissed it. At the moment I pay a bit out monthly to Amnesty International. It’s a really good idea because charities can plan a bit more if they know to expect large donations. I don’t really know enough about it and I don’t see much about it advertised on TV. It’s a delicate one to promote. People get a bit odd about organ donation, but if it’s worded properly I don’t see that it’s a problem. So, Amnesty might end up with something but the rest will go to my family.

Mark French, charity volunteer

I’m a volunteer for the Wildlife Trust so when I was last changing my will I decided I would like to leave it a donation. It’s to a local branch and not to the head quarters so I pretty well know what it will be used for. Obviously other people have to be provided for too, so I left what seemed reasonable after that.

Want to do more with legacies? Read our 5 tips for promoting legacy giving to supporters.

This article first appeared in The Fundraiser, Issue 4, April 2011