Would you consider leaving a gift in your Will to the MS International Federation?

Why leave a gift in your Will? 

You don’t need to be wealthy to leave a gift in your Will. Gifts of any size help us continue this work, and you’re always free to change your mind. 

A gift in your Will is a powerful way to ensure that people affected by multiple sclerosis continue to receive hope, support and better treatment for generations to come. A gift in your Will lets you support the causes that have mattered most to you throughout your life and helps make sure people living with MS everywhere can share in a better future. 

After providing for your loved ones, many of our supporters choose to leave a gift to MSIF to in their WIll, just like Sandy and Robin:  

Dr Alexander John Burnfield, known to many as Sandy, was a psychiatrist, author, and lifelong advocate for people with MS. Diagnosed early in his medical career, he focused his work on the emotional and psychological impact of MS. He championed person-centred care and helped establish “Persons with MS International,” now a key part of MSIF’s approach. Sandy left a gift in his Will to MSIF, continuing his commitment to the MS community beyond his lifetime. His gift ensures that people with MS remain at the heart of everything we do. 

Robin Inchyra was an engineer, industrialist and public servant who dedicated his expertise to improving society. As our Treasurer from 2000 to 2009, he brought steady leadership and clear vision to our global work. Robin also left a gift in his Will to support MSIF. His gift helps us to continue building international collaboration and progress in MS care, research, and advocacy.  The impact of his gift lives on today. 

MS affects more than 2.8 million people globally and at present, there is currently no cure. However, gifts such as those left by Sandy and Robin have enabled us to make huge progress supporting those affected by MS: 

• We secured the first-ever inclusion of MS treatments on the WHO Essential Medicines List (2023) 
• Created the Atlas of MS, the world’s leading MS dataset, reflecting the epidemiology of MS across the globe  
• Through the Atlas of MS, World MS Day and other advocacy activities, we have made access to diagnosis and treatment a global policy issue 
• Through our research collaborations and award schemes, we support the next generation of MS researchers globally 

Together we can help thousands more people live well with MS, access earlier diagnosis and treatment, whilst driving research towards a cure. 

By leaving a gift in your Will to MSIF, as Sandy and Robin did, you can help shape a better future for people with MS around the world. 

How to leave a gift 

After you have decided what you’d like to leave to your family and friends, please consider including a gift to MSIF. Every gift, whatever its size, helps create lasting change for people affected by MS. We would encourage you to share your wishes to include us in your Will with your loved ones. 

Essential information 

Your Will should include MSIF’s name and our address, and Registered Charity Number:

• MSIF, Canopi, Arc House, 82 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3GN
• Registered Charity Number 1105321 (England & Wales). 

If you’re kindly leaving a gift to MSIF in your Will, you must indicate whether you are leaving a percentage or a fixed amount. Unrestricted gifts allow us to respond to the greatest needs and opportunities, ensuring your gift has the widest possible impact. We suggest you use the following wording: 

“I give to the MS International Federation, whose offices are located at Canopi, Arc House, 82 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3GN registered charity number 1105321 (England & Wales) [______% of my estate] or [the sum of £___________ ], to be used for general charitable purposes absolutely and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.” 

If you already have a Will, you can add an amendment (called a Codicil). You will need to use the same wording as above. 

Getting help  

If you are creating a Will for the first time, then we strongly advise using a solicitor or a Will-writing service in your country. This will ensure your decisions are properly recorded. Inheritance laws in your country may affect how much of your estate you are free to leave as a gift. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kerry via our contact us page. Please note that whilst we can help you through the process, we cannot provide financial or legal advice.  Please note that whilst we can help you through the process, we cannot provide financial or legal advice. 

Thank you for considering leaving a gift to MSIF. Your generosity could help ensure that people living with MS, wherever they are in the world, have access to better care, stronger advocacy and the hope of a future free from MS. 

Frequently asked questions 

• Can I change my mind? (Yes, you can update your Will at any time)
• Do I have to tell you? (No, but we’d love to thank you if you do)  
• Can I leave a percentage instead of a fixed sum? (Yes, and many people choose to leave a share of their estate because it keeps pace with inflation) 
• Do I need to leave a large amount? (No, gifts of any size make a difference; every gift helps, however big or small) 
• Will my gift to MSIF be used for a specific purpose? (Unless you tell us otherwise, we’ll treat it as unrestricted so we can use it where it’s needed most, but you can ask us to direct it to a particular area of our work) 
• I already have a Will; do I need to write a new one? (No, you can simply add a codicil, a short legal amendment, using the wording provided above)
• I don’t live in the UK; can I still leave a gift to MSIF? (Yes, but inheritance laws vary by country, so we recommend speaking to a solicitor or Will-writing service where you live to make sure your wishes can be carried out) 
• Will leaving a gift to MSIF affect what I leave my family? (No, we always recommend providing for your loved ones first, and only leaving a gift to MSIF from what remains) 
• Are there tax benefits to leaving a gift to a charity? (This depends on where you live, so please check with a solicitor or financial advisor in your country) 
• Who can I talk to if I have questions? (Please contact Kerry via our contact us page. We’re happy to help, though we can’t provide financial or legal advice)