What legacy will you leave? It’s something that I often contemplate. Like a growing number of people, I want to make sure I can continue doing my part to make a positive impact and to give to the causes that I care about, even when I’m no longer around.

As Charles Dickens once said; “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another”. This sentiment certainly resonates with me, particularly as we observe ‘Include a Charity Week’.

It’s clear that we would not be able to continue our critical work helping people on their journey to independence without the support of generous and thoughtful supporters.

Over the years, I have been humbled to have met and heard the stories of some incredibly selfless, compassionate and generous people who have chosen to leave a gift in their Will earmarked for Mission Australia.

Take Wendy, who has been a proud supporter of Mission Australia since the 1970s. She first saw the impact of homelessness while working in a hospital where rough sleepers were regularly treated for injuries and conditions associated with living on the streets. She was so determined to do something about it, that she chose to leave a gift to Mission Australia in her Will.

Or Beryl, who told us “Leaving a gift in my Will makes perfect sense to me. Some people are born into good fortune, some aren’t, and some are just unfortunate to get an illness or have their circumstances bring them into poverty”. She wrote Mission Australia into her Will so she can rest easy, knowing that the important causes in her life will be taken care of after she’s gone.

Here at Mission Australia, we treat legacies gifted to us in Wills very carefully. Every gift ensures we can continue vital services that have a real and enduring impact on individual lives. Thousands of people will have a brighter future, thanks to these generous supporters of our work.

People who choose to leave a gift in their Will for Mission Australia become honorary members of our Benjamin Short Society, which is named after our founder – Benjamin Short – a man who worked tirelessly offer support and care to people experiencing disadvantage. These people have made a conscious decision to leave a gift that will change people’s lives for many years to come, bringing fresh hope to people who need extra support.

Inspired by the gifts of others and seeing firsthand the great work that Mission Australia has been able to do because of the generosity of these people, I am leaving behind my own individual legacy to Mission Australia. I feel incredibly honoured to be part of the Benjamin Short Society and to have this opportunity to make an enduring difference.

This is truly one of the most personal and helpful ways that we can support the work of charities and causes that we care about. If you choose to remember Mission Australia in your Will, you would be creating a legacy of love and care for people in our community who have fallen on tough times or who are facing disadvantage.

It’s easy to do and you don’t need to be wealthy to leave a charitable gift in your Will – which is a common misconception. After ensuring you have looked after your loved ones, even a modest contribution will make a lifetime of difference to many.

If you’re considering leaving a lasting legacy and want to give a gift in your Will for Mission Australia, I encourage you to visit our website or phone our Bequests team on 1800 88 88 68 to receive a free booklet and learn about how you can make a lasting difference for people in need.

Photo of James Toomey, CEO of Mission Australia

 

James Toomey
CEO Mission Australia
@jbc_toomey

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Our founding purpose - 'Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God'