This is a priority activity for Prospex and we rely on voluntary help with the constant task of raising funds to enable our work to continue.

The Charity Commission’s latest Economic Survey of Charities in England and Wales reveals that more than half of charities are now feeling the impact of the recession. We don’t want to become part of these statistics so have to increase our work in this area.

• You can help by joining our team of volunteers writing and filling in application forms for grants and funds.
• Put on an event or sponsored activity to raise funds and awareness.
• Introduce us to potential sponsors who may like to contribute to our work.

Every penny raised really does make a difference to the lives of young people and families, so why not get involved.

Remembering Prospex in your will is a powerful way to support young people in the future and make an impact in their lives. Legacies made to Prospex can reduce the tax burden levied on your estate as they are free from inheritance tax and capital gains tax.

Below are a few different kinds of gifts you can leave in your will:

• Residuary bequest - This is a gift of the remainder of the estate after all other bequests have been made and debts cleared.
• Pecuniary bequest - This is a gift of a fixed amount; the value of pecuniary legacies will decrease over time, as the cost of living increases.
• Contingent bequest - This is a gift in your will that depends upon the occurrence of an event which may or may not happen. An example is a bequest to a charity which applies only if other beneficiaries named in the will die before the person who made the will.

How to do this?

If you have not already made a will, visit your solicitor to ensure that your beneficiaries will inherit according to your wishes.

If you have already have a will, but have now decided to include us, there is no need to make a new one; you can just ask your solicitor to add a codicil to your existing will.

Let us know

If you intend to remember Prospex in your will, let us know. We would like to be able to thank you and give you the chance to see how your legacy would be spent. Letting us know also helps us plan for the future. Please note there is no obligation and it is not binding in any way.

Any information given to Prospex will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. If you would like to discuss this please contact james@prospex.org or phone 0207 6077626.

Payroll Giving donations come directly out of your salary before it is taxed. This kind of giving is hugely valuable as it provides income in a predictable way that allows Prospex to spend money on young people in the areas where it is needed most.

By giving £25 per month in this way to Prospex it will only cost you £19.50 if you pay the basic tax rate or £15 if you pay a higher tax rate.

What next?

1. Find out if your employer has a Payroll Giving scheme, the person responsible for payroll will know.
2. If yes, sign up and start supporting Prospex’s young people!
3. If no, ask if they would consider starting one. Visit the HMRC website or call HMRC Charities helpline on 08453 02 02 03 for more information.
4. Payroll Giving is completely flexible and can be changed or cancelled at any time should your circumstances change.

This is a really tax efficient method of giving. Some donors can give up to 80% more. By donating most shares and securities you can claim income tax relief on the value of the gift. You are also exempt from any tax on capital gains that might have arisen if the shares had been sold.

What next?

Contact a financial advisor to discuss the best way to give and what your personal tax implications are.

Contact james@prospex.org or phone 020 76077626 so that we can make sure that we have the records you will need to claim full relief.

Please note Prospex cannot accept a small number of shares as to sell them would cost more than they are worth.