How a Gift in Your Will Can Power our Missions
When you see or hear the rescue helicopter overhead, it’s a sign that help is on the way. This Wills Month, your support will ensure this vital service can continue to respond to those who need it the most – now and for generations to come.
“A gift in your will transforms today’s promise into tomorrow’s impact.”
Kathryn Marshall, Director of Fundraising
Gifts in wills are a quiet yet powerful way to support the causes you care about long after you’re gone. For charities, these bequests provide dependable, long-term funding that allows us to plan ahead; replacing aging equipment, training staff, and building the service. Legacy gifts can also underwrite major projects and strengthen the future of the service. A single gift in a will can change lives today and long into the future.
One of the simplest and most flexible ways to give is a residual gift, a percentage of what remains of your estate after providing for your loved ones and other commitments. Because it’s a share of the residue, a percentage amount adjusts automatically over time. It won’t reduce the assets you need in your lifetime or change how you live today. Residual gifts are easy to include in standard will wording and can be as small or as large as you choose. Even 1% can make a meaningful and significant impact.
Leaving a gift in your Will is a thoughtful and private choice. It allows you to care for those close to you while making a lasting contribution to your community. A brief conversation with your legal advisor can help clarify the wording and ensure your wishes are honoured.
“It’s no use to you when you’re gone. If you can, give it to an organisation like the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust that can use it for good.”
Digby, bequest supporter
Knowing you have made this decision is an act of generosity and care. Gifts like this bring donors quiet, profound comfort; a reassurance that the values and causes you care about will continue to matter, and that you have made a meaningful impact on others. It is a way to connect with something bigger than yourself, while enjoying the peace of mind that comes from planning for the future.
Once your gift is confirmed, you can choose to remain private or be publicly recognised in a way that feels right for you. Letting us know your intentions can allow for a private relationship – keeping you updated on the service, inviting you to milestone events, or simply ensuring your wishes are understood. Others prefer to remain anonymous, and both choices are equally respected and valued.
To learn more about supporting the service with a gift in your Will, please contact me, Kathryn Marshall:
Email: kathryn@airrescue.co.nz
Phone: 03 358 8244
Post: PO Box 20-262, Bishopdale 8543
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- Only 55% of NZ adults have a will, and just 6% of wills include a charitable gift as part of the inheritances. Bequests account for just 1.3% of all charitable income in New Zealand, totalling an estimated $320 million annually.
- The 2025 JB Were report suggests that improving the rate and value of charitable bequests to a level of 3% could result in almost $2.5 billion annually in 20 years – an almost eight-fold increase from the current annual level ($320 million).
https://www.jbwere.co.nz/news-and-insights/the-bequest-report-2025
