Leaving a legacy - Heather Rayner

We talked to Alliance member Heather Rayner about her motivations for leaving a legacy and how she sees her legacy gift as being able to support causes close to her heart.

Why have you chosen to remember a number of charities in your will?
I see leaving a legacy as a way of giving at another stage of life; leaving a portion of the many gifts that I have received and want to share with others.
When it came to making our wills, my husband Tim and I made provision for our families first but we also wanted to know that a part of our estate was separated out for God's work. We recognise that legacies are an important part of ensuring that the vital ongoing work of some charities is well-funded long into the future. As an accountant, I understand the importance of financial planning for charities, and the confidence a legacy can bring to financial decisions.
We included a number of legacies to charities in our wills – including one for the Evangelical Alliance.

And why did you choose the Alliance as one of those charities?
I love the work of the Evangelical Alliance. I think it is so important to keep evangelicals united. It is such a privilege to use some of the gifts God has given me to help the Alliance.
In particular, threads is one of my favourite things about the Alliance, and something I would support now and in the future. Tim and I have three children in their twenties – Christians who are still in the Church. But so many others we know have started out on that journey and not continued. I am so struck by the question posted by threads "Do you know someone in their 20s who has left the Church?" I think threads is one of the vital tools to be used by God in reaching this generation. So knowing that the project can now take place and continue into the future is wonderful.

So how did you go about leaving a legacy to the Alliance?
It was easy. I was first prompted to leave a legacy when the Alliance asked me to consider it. We just happened to be reviewing our wills soon after that, as our children were leaving home, and so when we contacted our solicitor, I just asked them to add it in.

A lot of people might not think to let the charity know of their legacy. So why did you tell the Alliance?
I think simply because the Alliance asked – we are happy to share with others that we've left a legacy to help carry on the Alliance's work long after our lifetimes, promoting values that are important to us. I'm also pleased that the Evangelical Alliance know this and can continue to keep me updated with their plans for the future as a result.
I would encourage others to consider leaving a legacy to the Evangelical Alliance, and to let them know. I believe most Christians would be happy to consider including a legacy in their will for causes they love, and it's probably something we should talk about more and share with one another.

To find out more about leaving a legacy to the Alliance, we'd love to speak to you or give you our legacy booklet – please contact Nicky Waters, our head of giving, for a confidential conversation on 0207 520 3858 or info@eauk.org. Or visit eauk.org/legacies to find out more.