Meet our Legacy Marketing Officers
Nia Haware and Marcia Pennant work jointly as Legacy Marketing Officers in our Development and Communications Office.
They are responsible for creating and executing campaigns that highlight the ground-breaking work of our researchers and communicate the vital role that gifts in Wills play in securing the future of cancer research. Moreover, they also administer the Will for Free service and liaise with both solicitors and enquirers. For any queries about leaving a gift in your Will, the legacy marketing officers are here to help
This role is a job share, so on the days that we are in the office together, we begin by catching up, checking in, and establishing our schedule for the day. Our key responsibilities include planning campaigns to raise awareness of our researchers’ life-changing work and the impact of gifts in Wills on sustaining future cancer research.
We regularly connect with our scientists, supporters and patients, and share their stories across digital and non-digital channels. Additionally, we liaise with our Will for Free solicitors and address enquiries from Will for Free users via phone and email. Presently, we are coordinating an event for our legacy pledgers and valued donors, as well as working on an exciting new legacy video showing how our scientists, patients and legacy pledgers contribute to making the discoveries that defeat cancer.
In addition to our core tasks, we frequently collaborate with other teams to enhance our initiatives and ensure a cohesive approach to engaging with our supporters. One of our favourite parts of the job is talking to our supporters about how important gifts in Wills are to the ICR. We maintain regular communication with pledgers to help them throughout the Will-making process, ensuring they feel supported and informed.
Why are legacies important to us?
Our dedicated team of 800 scientists and clinicians is on the front line of cancer research, working tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of this disease and develop groundbreaking therapies that can transform lives. Your support through legacy gifts is vital to our mission, helping us achieve breakthroughs that lead to better diagnoses and treatments for patients facing cancer.
By including a gift in your Will, you can make a profound impact. The incredible generosity of our legacy donors has already helped us:
Launch the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery, which opened in 2021, where we’re tackling cancer's ability to evolve resistance to treatment and creating a new generation of life-saving drugs.
Invest in state-of-the-art equipment, allowing us to utilise the latest genetic sequencing technologies that are essential for cutting-edge research.
Fund PhD studentships, nurturing the next generation of brilliant minds who will work towards defeating cancer.
We invite you to join the growing community of supporters who have chosen to leave a legacy that will change lives. Your gift can help us continue this vital work and bring hope to countless individuals and families affected by cancer. Together, we can make a lasting difference.
What is the Will for Free service?
We developed our Will for Free service partnering with local solicitors, to help provide long-term funding for our cancer research.
With this service, you can create or update your Will at no cost to you – we cover the expenses. We’d love you to consider leaving a gift in your Will to support our scientists, but it’s completely up to you. If you need a basic single or joint (mirror) Will, there won’t be any extra charges. For more complex situations, you can still use the service, but there might be additional costs, which your solicitor will let you know about during your initial meeting.
We offer multiple ways to access a free Will, so you can choose the most convenient option for you. These are:
(1) Find a solicitor near you on our website
We have a database of solicitors who have partnered directly with us to offer free Will-writing services. You can enter your postcode and find information on participating solicitors near you. Please note that solicitors on our database are limited to those based in the south and east of England. Here’s the link to find a solicitor: Will for Free - The Institute of Cancer Research, London
(2) Use the National Free Wills Network to access a larger number of solicitors across the United Kingdom
We have partnered with the National Free Wills Network to give our supporters across the United Kingdom the opportunity to get a free Will by accessing a wider network of local solicitors. Just enter your details on this form, and you will receive a list of solicitors in your area through the post. Here’s the link to the form: The National Free Wills Network sign-up - The Institute of Cancer Research, London
(3) Make a Will Online
We understand that it might not be possible for everyone to visit a solicitor near them. If you would 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. These Wills are checked by a qualified solicitor, providing you with an easy and reliable option to draft your Will and make sure you have provided for your loved ones. Here’s the link to make your Will online: Make A Will Online
We’re here to help you through the process and answer any questions you might have!
How can you reach us?
The best way to reach us is to email us on [email protected]. This enables us to provide detailed instructions in case you have questions, or easily follow-up with you. If you’d like to speak to us, please call +44 20 3437 7014 or +44 20 3437 6332.
If you have any questions or need assistance regarding leaving a gift in your Will, Nia and Marcia, our Legacy Marketing Officers, are here for you. They are dedicated to making the process as smooth and supportive as possible. Whether you're curious about the Will for Free service, want to discuss your options, or just need guidance, don't hesitate to get in touch.