The RCP recently took part in Remember a Charity Week. This national scheme encourages everyone to think about how they’d like to be remembered – and to consider leaving a gift to charity in their Will, alongside family and friends.
Leaving a gift in your Will is the most important charitable donation that you will make. It is an expression of the values you have lived by and creates a legacy to carry on these values. In creating your Will, naturally your first thought will be to take care of your family and friends. After doing so, you may wish to leave a portion of your remaining estate to the RCP.
The RCP has a long history of legacy giving, dating back to our first president, Thomas Linacre, who bequeathed his home to the college in 1524. Leaving the RCP a legacy will have a powerful and lasting impact on the charitable work that we do, and support physicians in the future to provide better healthcare for patients. All legacy gifts, no matter what size, are immensely important to allow us to plan for and invest in the future. A gift in your Will has the power to shape the future of medicine, particularly by growing our endowment fund so that the impact of your donation lasts in perpetuity. A gift in your Will can help us continue to educate, train and support future generations of physicians to strengthen health systems and improve medical standards across the globe.
We understand that leaving a gift in your Will is something you will want to think about very carefully. We have a legacy booklet that will answer many of your questions – do get in touch with our head of philanthropy, Sally Williams, if you would like a copy.
How your legacy gift will help
The RCP is a registered charity, independent from government, led by doctors for the benefit of all. Independence allows the RCP to act on health matters and to speak out about public health threats that affect us.
The RCP has a proud history of philanthropy and has become what it is today thanks to the generous support of benefactors. We have been at the forefront of patient care for over 500 years. Through advocacy, education and research, we drive improvements in the diagnosis of disease, the care of individual patients and the health of the whole population, both in the UK and across the globe.
By donating a gift in your Will, you can have a tangible impact on the successful delivery of the RCP’s strategic and charitable aims; providing us with the necessary support to advocate for public health, improve healthcare practices for both doctors and patients, and support the next generation of doctors. All legacy gifts – whether large or small – are vital to allow us to plan for the future. You can create your legacy in an area that you feel passionate about supporting, such as the RCP’s educational and training work, and these funds might be applied to immediate priorities or invested in the longer term within the RCP’s endowment.
Our legacy pledger programme
Thank you for taking the time to consider making a contribution to the RCP’s important work. We appreciate that leaving a legacy gift is a personal decision that you may prefer to keep private, but we would be delighted to thank you if you are happy to share your intentions with us. Please be assured that the information you choose to share with us will be held in confidence and is in no way legally binding. Knowledge of forthcoming gifts helps us to plan for the future and enables us to keep you updated about our achievements. More importantly, by letting us know, we are able to acknowledge your contribution, thank you for your incredible generosity and celebrate the legacy that you have pledged.
We would be honoured to have you join our group of legacy pledgers and would be delighted to invite you to our annual summer garden party for RCP supporters.
The RCP annual summer garden party 2025
Please get in touch
If you have any questions, we are here to help and answer any questions in confidence. For more information, please call Sally Williams (head of philanthropy) on 020 3075 1535 (direct line) or email Sally.Williams@rcp.ac.uk.
