This is a special appeal for legacies or donations on behalf of the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund. The Fund was formed in April 1998 following advice from the Charity Commission to amalgamate charities with similar trusts. Further details concerning the Fund can be found below.

During the last financial year 00/01 the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund has helped to relieve distress and hardship for many, some examples of assistance are:
The Welfare Fund made grants totalling £52,975 for a wide range of needs including food vouchers, powered wheelchairs, clothing, respite holidays, spectacles and replacement windows.

The Upton Kelly ring fenced budget made grants in excess of £19,259 to assist officers and their dependants.

The Tercentenary Relief Fund paid out £22,000 to dependants to help alleviate initial financial pressure resulting from the 8 in- service deaths that occurred last year.
The Band Benevolent Fund made 31 grants to ex members of the Band Service totalling £6,270.

Please read on to see how you can help those less fortunate than yourself by including a Royal Marines charity in your will.

ROYAL MARINES BENEVOLENT FUND

The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund's principal purpose is to benefit persons who are serving or who have served in the Royal Marines, or their dependants, to relieve need, hardship or distress. The Fund was formed in 1997 and subsumed the following funds and their purposes:

The Upton Kelly Memorial Fund. The aim of the fund is to relieve distress or necessity amongst officers who have served in the Royal Marines, officers' widows, and their dependants.

Royal Marines Tercentenary Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide on death, from any causes, for either serving Royal Marines, or a Reservist on duty, a sum of money for the widow or recorded next of kin to relieve initial financial problems. The sum of money authorised may be altered from time to time by the Trustees; the grant is currently £2,750.

Royal Marines Welfare Fund. The income to this fund may be used to relieve distress amongst serving and retired Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines, their widows and dependants.

Royal Marines Band Benevolent Fund. The fund is used to relieve needy or distressed, serving or retired RM Band Service ranks or their dependants. The income is derived from donations, dividends and interest.

YOUR WILL

WHY A WILL IS SO IMPORTANT

Making a will is one of the most important acts in your life. Without a will, the law will decide what happens to your estate (everything you own when you die). This may cause distress and heartache to those you love and value most: your family and dearest friends and it will take longer to prove the will.

IS YOUR WILL VALID?

Do not risk making a mistake - take professional advice. A straightforward will prepared by a solicitor, or professional will writer, should not be expensive, especially when compared to the value of your estate. A will may be declared invalid if it does not contain the appointment of at least one executor and/or has not been signed and dated by you in the presence of two witnesses who must also sign the will. Witnesses do not need to know the contents of your will but ought not themselves be beneficiaries, since being a witness could invalidate any gift bequeathed to them.

REMEMBER

A new will can be made at any time, but for minor alterations, such as leaving a bequest to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund. It may be cheaper and simpler to add a codicil, which again should be made with the help of your solicitor or qualified legal adviser.

HELP CHARITY AND SAVE TAX

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

Any charity receiving a residuary bequest can avoid liability for Capital Gains Tax by simply instructing the Executors in writing to sell as Bare Trustees on their behalf assets first appropriated to them in book form (i.e. stocks and shares). By this means any profits arising on those assets between death and disposal will pass untaxed to the charity concerned.

Inheritance Tax In addition to a surviving spouse, registered charities are completely exempt from Inheritance Tax and its predecessor Capital Transfer Tax. Consequently if the tax-free portion of an estate is left to relatives and friends and the remainder goes to charity, the entire estate becomes tax-free irrespective of size. Even where the personal bequests exceed the tax-free limit, substantial savings can still be made by leaving the balance to charity, who will benefit from the 40p in every £1 which would otherwise go to the exchequer.

For the financial year at present the first £234,000 of any taxable estate is free of tax. with any excess being taxed at a flat rate of 40% if it does not pass to a surviving husband, wife or registered charity. (figures correct as at 1.4.00)

INCOME TAX

This is reclaimable at the standard rate by charities that receive taxed income as part of their inheritance under a Will. Claims have to be submitted to the Inland Revenue by charities on Forms R185E or equivalent prepared by the Executors for each financial year involved. This does not apply for instance to Building Society interest earned between the date of death of a life tenant and the winding up of a Trust.

HOW TO REMEMBER US IN YOUR WILL

The Trustees of the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund are deeply grateful for bequests of all kind in order that the Fund an continue to provide grants to benefit persons who are serving or who have served in the Royal Marines, or their dependants, to relieve need, hardship or distress. The Trustees would like to take this opportunity to suggest the following wording for inclusion in your Will, depending on your particular wishes and circumstances.

RESIDUARY BEQUEST

"Subject as aforesaid I give, devise and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the whole (or a ............share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper of officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof "Pecuniary Legacy

"I give and bequeath to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the sum of £ ................. for its general charitable purpose and declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof." Conditional Bequest

"In the event of my brother (or other named relative or friend etc) predeceasing me I give and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the whole (or a ................ share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof. "Reversionary Bequest

"On the death of my son (or other named relative or friend) I give and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund the whole (or a .............. share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof.

For any further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact the RM Assistant Corps Secretary, HMS EXCELLENT, Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire P02 8ER Telephone (023) 9254 7201 e-mail royalmarines.charities@charity.vfree.com