Leave a gift in your Will
Will you remember them?
Change starts with a Will
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has provided care and companionship to the Chelsea Pensioners for over 330 years. We are committed to ensuring this proud tradition continues – supporting veterans, safeguarding our historic home, and nurturing the unique community that makes the Royal Hospital so special.
Leaving a gift in your Will is a simple yet powerful way to help secure this future. Your generosity ensures that the Chelsea Pensioners can continue to enjoy the very best care, companionship, and quality of life, not just today, but for generations to come.
Every legacy, large or small, has a meaningful impact. Thanks to our partnership with Octopus Legacy, you can now create a free, solicitor-approved Will from home. Whether you’re updating an existing Will or writing a new one, it’s simple, secure, and completely confidential.
"I’d like to think what I give will help the Chelsea Pensioners to enjoy the best quality of life after I’ve gone and that I’ll still be supporting something I care about. Not everyone can give their time, but leaving some money does as much, if not more, to help. I like to think I’ll be helping in a small way for future generations to enjoy their retirement here."
- Richard Bremer, volunteer and friend of the Royal Hospital
A Simple Way to Make a Lasting Difference
Many people choose to include a cause close to their hearts in their Will. By remembering the Royal Hospital Chelsea, you’ll help ensure that the spirit of Community, Comradeship and Care that defines life here continues for generations to come. It’s a meaningful way to let your values live on, and to be part of our remarkable history of service and support, long into the future.
Write or update your Will for free
We’ve partnered with expert estate planners, Octopus Legacy, to offer you the chance to write or update your will for free, either online, over the phone or in person with a professional will writer. All Wills are checked by their expert legal team who will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
You’re under no obligation to remember the Royal Hospital in your Will, but any gift you do decide to leave, large or small, will make a powerful difference.
Claim your free will online today or call 020 4525 3605 and quote Chelsea Pensioners to book a phone or in-person appointment.
What Your Gift Can Achieve
By remembering the Royal Hospital Chelsea in your Will, you can help:
- Provide the Chelsea Pensioners with the highest standard of care and a fulfilling, companionable retirement.
- Protect our historic buildings, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir John Soane.
- Support the hundreds of veterans and their families who use our Outreach Services
- Conserve rare art, artefacts, and the unique heritage of the Hospital.
- Share the Chelsea Pensioners’ expertise and support with the wider veteran community.
It’s not so much the money. What I’d like is for it to raise the awareness of the importance of places like the Chelsea Pensioners’ home – of somewhere these special people, who have given so much to us, can continue to go. We need to remember what they’ve given everybody, what they’ve achieved and committed and given up for us.
– Dawn, Royal Hospital Chelsea Supporter.
Case Studies
Lynne's Story
Inspired by her father’s service, Lynne left a gift in her Will to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, helping to ensure that future generations of veterans are cared for and celebrated.
Case Studies
Maggie's Story
After 23 years in the Army, Maggie’s legacy ensures that the Chelsea Pensioners continue to thrive, enjoy companionship, and live with dignity.
We’re here to help
We understand that making or updating your Will is a deeply personal decision, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you’d like a confidential conversation, our Legacy Team would be delighted to hear from you. Please call 020 7881 5244 or email legacies@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk to find out more.
Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here:
How do I remember the Royal Hospital Chelsea in my Will?
Remembering us in your Will is straightforward and means you can make a lasting impact on our work. A solicitor will help you to draw up a Will, or amend an existing one, to include a gift to the Royal Hospital. By sharing your intentions, you can allow us to plan ahead with confidence.
What type of gift can I leave in my Will?
We are very grateful for any gift, large or small.
There are various ways you can remember us in your Will. This could be a residuary gift (what remains after you’ve remembered your family and friends), a set amount of money, or a specific gift (such as stocks and shares or an item of value).
Will a charitable gift in my Will be subject to inheritance tax?
No. Inheritance tax doesn’t apply to charitable gifts, so every penny you leave would help support the Royal Hospital and the Chelsea Pensioners.
Can I choose how the Royal Hospital Chelsea will spend my legacy?
If you’d like your gift to be used for a particular purpose or project, we’d be happy to discuss this with you. However, we can also ensure your gift has the most impact by using it wherever the need is greatest.
Where can I find more information on gifts in wills?
Contact our Legacy Manager for a confidential conversation:
Tel: 020 7881 5244
Email: legacies@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk