When Alison Smith told her children she was leaving a bequest to a charity in her will she faced no objection.
Alison Smith has chosen to leave a gift in her will.
“Once my children had children themselves and were in a financially stable place where they were not relying on my help or my inheritance, I realised that part of my financial assets could be put to a more valuable use than just given to my children,” says the 67-year-old from Sydney. “They know and understand my reasons, and they have been supportive of my choice.”
Choosing the Fred Hollows Foundation, to which she had been donating for some time, was a no-brainer.
“I have always enjoyed the act of giving, and to even contemplate the thought of giving somebody their eyesight is pretty immeasurable,” she says. “I felt that it was the most worthwhile charity that I had ever heard of and that my money would be put to good use there.
“You don’t have to leave a huge amount. I raised my children as a single mother so I didn’t have much in savings, but I know that my money will go a long way and have an immensely positive effect.”
Alison is one of many Australians choosing to support Fred Hollows’ mission – to build a world where no one is needlessly blind – by leaving a gift in their will to help train the next generation of eye specialists.
Seeing the work the foundation has done has affirmed her decision.
“You are continually made aware of the difference you are making,” she says. “The Fred Hollows Foundation sends [updates] showing me absolute joy on people’s faces when they can see. Often, they are seeing their children for the first time. We live in a fortunate society where we have opportunity at every turn and others are not so fortunate. It’s a small price to pay to such great effect.”
The foundation says that over the past 30 years, bequests have contributed to the training more than 441,000 surgeons, nurses and health workers who have helped to restore sight to more than 3 million people, with an additional 132 million treated for trachoma – work that is largely possible thanks to the generosity of the Australian public and the people who choose to include the foundation in their will.
Gabi Hollows, founding director of the Fred Hollows Foundation, orthoptist, and Fred’s widow, says the generosity of donors is critical to the achievements the foundation has made in the 30 years since it was started around their dinner table.
Fred Hollow’s wife Gabi started the foundation as his legacy
“The simple truth is this work would not have been possible without the help of the Australian people, who time after time support us generously to give the gift of sight to those who need it most,” she says.
“I always say that the Fred Hollows Foundation is like a giant tapestry, and every person who has contributed to our work becomes one of those threads. A gift in your will is a really special way to continue your support. It’s a gift that means the foundation can keep training doctors and eye health workers, building eye clinics and restoring people’s sight for generations to come.”
Alison tells those contemplating a bequest not to be put off by the misconception that it’s for the wealthy. She believes anyone can leave a gift in their will and all gifts make a difference, no matter how big or small. She also says the process was extremely simple: all it took was a change in her will, and a verbal commitment to the foundation.
“Advising the Fred Hollows Foundation of your intentions was not legally binding,” she says to anyone concerned that their circumstances might change. “But it does allow the foundation to plan somewhat in regards to future income.”
Leaving a gift to the Fred Hollows Foundation in your will can help restore sight.
Making room for nuanced conversations with your family around the decision and the amount you’re leaving is important, Alison says, giving you the opportunity to justify leaving a lasting legacy that supports a cause that matters most to you.
“There are many of Fred’s quotes that touch the heart and I love that his philosophy was that to enrich someone’s life is to be purposeful in ours,” she says. “As a member of a wonderful community who share the common goal of ending avoidable blindness, it was important to me to include a gift to the foundation in my will. I know it will have a great impact restoring sight around the globe.”
Learn more about leaving a gift to The Fred Hollows Foundation in your will.
