If something you did today had the power to provide medical care for hundreds of people less fortunate than yourself in the years ahead – wouldn't you want to find out more?

And if helping these people cost you absolutely nothing right now – would you do it?

By including a bequest to St Mary's Hospital in your Will, you could save the lives of hundreds of babies and young mothers infected with the HIV virus ... pay for life-saving operations and medicines ... or provide comfort and care for those in the final stages of life.

And you don't have to go without anything yourself in order to do all this. Only when you no longer need it, will your money be used to help others who might otherwise have no access to medical care.

Follow in the footsteps of the World's great philanthropists
Leaving money to charity in one's Will is a long-standing tradition that has been of great benefit to mankind through the centuries. Many universities and hospitals across the globe were founded on generous bequests.

But it's not only the wealthy who have the power to influence the future in this way. Even a modest bequest can work wonders, by providing unearmarked or endowment funds to sustain an institution like St Mary's Hospital. It can also considerably reduce the amount of tax payable on your estate.

How to include a bequest in your Will
If you already have a Will, and wish to add one or more extra bequests, this can usually be accomplished by means of a simple codicil. Like the original Will, the codicil is best drawn up by a suitably qualified professional who will ensure it is correctly worded and witnessed by two people.

Never cross out or add anything to the existing Will – this may invalidate the entire document. Neither should you pin or staple additional pages to the Will. Simply keep the codicil in an envelope with your Will, and ensure your Executor knows where to find it when the time comes that it is needed.

If you decide to include a bequest to St Mary's in your Will, you may find the following wording useful.

Specific bequest:

I give and the sum of R.............. (or item/s specified) to St Mary's Catholic Mission Hospital Foundation, 1 Hospital Road, Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, for its purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge of the said legacy.

Residuary bequest:

Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give ..................................... (insert "all" or "X percentage") of the residue of my Estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will, to St Mary's Catholic Mission Hospital Foundation, 1 Hospital Road, Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, for its purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge of the said legacy.

If you would like to chat to us about a particular bequest you are considering, or you need more information, please give Dorothy Gallagher a call on 031 717-1000.

An invitation to join the St Mary's Hospital Bequest Society
Please let us know if you are planning to include a bequest to St Mary's Hospital in your Will. We would appreciate the opportunity to thank you personally in advance, and include you in functions held especially for those who have made this generous gesture.

Any information you give us is treated in the strictest confidence and places you under no obligation whatsoever. It does however, help us plan ahead.