Leave a legacy
Legacy gifts are a vital source of funds for The Institute of Cancer Research, London. They have underpinned our discoveries and achievements in cancer research throughout our history, leading to better diagnosis and treatments for patients. Make your legacy life-changing by leaving a gift in your Will to the ICR, you can become a part of the journey to defeat cancer.
Make your legacy life-changing
Ways you can leave a gift
Learn more about leaving a legacy
Find out more about making a Will and leaving a legacy gift to fund ground-breaking cancer research.
Our Will for Free service
If you're over 60 and looking to make or update your Will, you may be eligible for our Will for Free service.
National Free Wills network
We have also partnered with The National Free Wills Network so you can access over 900 solicitors all over the UK.
Make a Will Online
If you prefer to make your Will online, we have partnered with Make a Will Online to offer you the opportunity to create a simple Will digitally - at no cost to you.
When you make a Will online, you will also gain free access to Capacity Vault, a valuable resource for protecting the wishes outlined in your Will. If you decide to include a gift, we are informed, which helps us with future planning.
Making an online Will through the provided link helps us gather important insights for our planning, such as when a Will is made, the value of pledges, and the types of gifts. With your permission, we can also receive your name and contact information. We understand that some supporters prefer to keep their Wills entirely private. If you wish to do so, you can click this link to create a will online. However you choose to support us, we are deeply thankful for your generosity.
If you would rather work with a solicitor in person or already have one, we fully support this choice. This is particularly important if your estate surpasses the Inheritance Tax threshold, or if it involves complex elements like trusts or overseas assets. Also, if there are any concerns regarding medication or dementia, meeting with a solicitor is recommended. You can find solicitors near you through our Will for Free service stated above or use the National Free Wills Network.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about how to leave a gift in your Will to the ICR, please call our Legacy Team on 020 7153 5387 or email legacy@icr.ac.uk.
How a gift in your Will can advance cancer research
Your legacy could help transform a discovery made in the laboratory into a treatment that saves thousands of lives world-wide.
How do legacy gifts work?
We receive a legacy when someone leaves a gift to the ICR in their Will. If you want to leave us a gift, we recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer to write or update your Will. They’ll make sure it’s properly written, and check there are no mistakes.
There are three different types of legacy you can leave:
1. A share in your estate - this is called a residuary legacy
2. A fixed sum of money - this is called a pecuniary legacy
3. A specific gift - property, shares, jewellery etc.
Having a valid, up-to-date Will is very important to ensure that your loved ones and the causes you care about are provided for after you die. If you already have a Will, it is recommended that you review it every five years as your personal situation could have changed and it may no longer reflect your wishes.
Legacy supporters
Suzanne O’Connor
When Mrs Mair Robinson sadly passed away in 2015, she left the ICR £100,000 in her Will. With her legacy gift she established the Mair and Franklyn Robinson Research Scholarship, to support a young scientist. Suzanne O’Connor was the fortunate PhD student who benefitted from Mrs Robinson’s generosity.
“Legacy gifts mean the ICR can invest in training scientists like me who will lead cancer research into the future. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside scientists who have years of drug discovery expertise.”
Professor Robin Weiss
Professor Robin Weiss, a former Director of The Institute of Cancer Research, decided to add a legacy into his Will to benefit us.
"During my time as Director, I saw the ICR go from strength to strength and I am proud of the impact its research has had now both and now and in the future. I know I want to leave a monetary legacy to match my scientific one.”
Tina Regan
Tina Regan, 68, has been touched by cancer personally and has seen the devastating impact it has had on her immediate family. That is why she has pledged to leave a gift in her Will to fund our vital research. Read Tina's full story here.
Previously, my sister had ovarian cancer, and now very sadly my niece is currently battling breast cancer. Over the years I have been touched by cancer, and it has affected my life so much. That’s why I decided to leave a legacy in my Will to the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).