A GUIDE TO MAKING A BEQUEST TO THE QUEEN’S ROYAL HUSSARS REGIMENTAL CHARITY
An appeal from the Colonel of the Regiment
Dear Hussar,
In these uncertain and increasingly dangerous times, it is more important than ever that we consider how we care for our regimental family for the long term. Regardless of the political and economic situation of the day, we must make sure that we are able to support our soldiers, our veterans and their families. To meet these needs, we have worked hard to build strong and sustainable funds across the Regiment.
However, to ensure that our Regimental family can continue to thrive, we must reinforce those funds. To that end, thoughtful acts of planning, including the making of wills and bequests, can play a crucial part in securing the future strength and wellbeing of our Regiment.
Gift in a will
Nobody likes thinking about making a will, but it makes sense to ensure that those you leave behind are cared for. Your will is also an opportunity to make a valuable gift in the way of a legacy donation or bequest to a cause that’s close to your heart in a cost effective way. Luckily it is easy and tax efficient to do so. Most charitable donations in the UK are free from inheritance tax and all you need to do is tell your solicitor or bank, or whoever is drawing up your will, that you want to make a donation.
If you already have a will, your donation can be added to it as a codicil (an amendment to your will that does not require a full re-write). If you chose to make a donation, you can express it as a fixed amount, or as a percentage of your estate. For example, I heard of one scheme in which people decide to give 1% of their estate to their chosen charity. In doing so, their families would barely notice the difference in their inheritance, but the effect on the charity is huge.
When you decide on the terms of your will, I would love you to consider including a bequest to The Queen’s Royal Hussars Regimental Charity (CIO) Number 1208731. Your support would make a huge difference. As well as being tax efficient, it is a very effective way of giving because the charity’s office is free and our wages are covered from public funds. So every penny of your donation will be well used.
The regimental charity provides a wide range of support to all elements of the Regiment family. If you decide to make a bequest to the charity please state which of the following fund/trusts you would like the bequest to go to:
- The Benevolent Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide relief to individual persons in need who are serving or former serving members of the Regiment or antecedent regiments, and their families. It offers support those in need, hardship or distress by making grants of money or providing or paying for items, services or facilities calculated to reduce the need, hardship or distress of such persons. Additionally, it makes grants to the Regiment, Messes, Association or Home Headquarters of the Regiment either to meet specific and necessary expenses which cannot be met out of public funds.
- The QRH Support Fund. The Queen’s Royal Hussars Support Fund, previously known as The Churchill Fund, was established within The Queen’s Royal Hussars Regimental Charity (CIO) in September 2024. The principal purpose of the Fund is to support the welfare needs of the serving members of The Queen’s Royal Hussars, their families, members of the Regimental Association and their families in circumstances that are out of the purpose of the Benevolent Fund. It cannot be spent on any other charity or museum expenses – it will only be used to support our people.
- The Officers’ Trust. The purpose of this Trust is to promote the efficiency of the Regiment and the Officers’ Mess by increasing the physical and general efficiency of its serving officers whether serving with the Regiment or employed extra-regimentally. This could include sporting endeavours or activities which bring together the serving officers away from their activities at work or publicly funded activities.
- The Collection Fund. The QRH Museum Trust has been combined into one Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO); it is known as The Queen’s Royal Hussars Regimental Charity (CIO). The Collection Fund looks after the QRH collection, which is housed predominantly in our museum in Warwick, but we also have items on loan to the serving Regiment and Home Headquarters.
Alternatively, if you were unsure where you wanted to provide support, you may specify that you leave it to the Trustees of the Charity decide which fund/trust your bequest should go to.
What to do
Before you consult a solicitor, draw up, in broad terms, how you wish to distribute your estate. This will save you time and money.
Pecuniary Legacy
You can give a straightforward cash sum (e.g. £1000 ) but remember that a fixed sum will lose some of its value with the passage of time. It is often better to divide your estate into shares or percentages, (as shown below).
Specific Bequest
A particular item of, say, jewellery, a painting or perhaps your medals and other military memorabilia. Especially useful for the museums and their continued collection, collation and preservation of regimental history.
Reversionary Bequest
You may wish to leave a sum of money to your Executor in trust to pay the income to a relative or friend during their lifetime. Once that person (the life tenant) dies, your Executor would distribute the Trust Fund amongst the Residuary Beneficiaries, which could include the Regimental Charity of your choice.
Residuary Bequest
Once the executors have collected all the assets, paid all debts, legacies, funeral expenses and administrative costs, the remaining part of the estate is known as the residue, all or part of the residue may be left to the Charity of your choice.
Thank you for your generosity and for the steadfast support you show to our regimental family. Every contribution – large or small – helps us care for our soldiers, veterans, and their families, and ensures that the proud heritage of The Queen’s Royal Hussars endures for future generations. Your commitment strengthens the Regiment today and safeguards it for tomorrow. For that I remain deeply grateful.
Legal Advice
Most people engage the services of a solicitor when drawing up their will. The Queen’s Royal Hussars strongly urges that you do so and that you regularly review the provisions of your will to ensure that it still meets your requirements. Try to use a solicitor you know or who has been personally recommended. The solicitor will help you to word your will correctly so that there is no risk of misunderstanding later.