Lucinda Frostick
Director of Remember A Charity
When we hear the word legacy, we often think of those who achieved fame or extraordinary wealth. Yet, some of the most inspiring legacies come from people who simply wanted to make the world a little better.
When the late Dame Stephanie Shirley arrived in the UK as a child refugee, few could have anticipated that she would go on to build a hugely successful technology company and become one of the nation’s most ardent philanthropists. Inspired by her experience as the mother of a child with autism, she has funded research, services and organisations that continue to improve lives today, driven by the philosophy ‘The more I give, the richer my life becomes.’
These stories remind us that legacy is about the values we share,
the lives we touch and the future we help create
Funding discoveries and better care
For Rosalind Franklin, her legacy took a different form. A brilliant chemist, her pioneering research helped unlock our understanding of DNA, laying foundations for medical advances that continue to benefit people across the world. Although she will never have known the full impact of her discoveries, her legacy lives on; saving lives, fuelling future discoveries and inspiring new generations of young female scientists to aim high.
Then, there are people like Keith, a supporter of Prostate Cancer UK. After experiencing the life-changing effects of prostate cancer treatment, he chose to leave a gift to the charity in his will to help create a better future for his grandsons and future generations. He hopes that continued investment in research would lead to kinder treatments, fewer side effects and better outcomes for families facing the disease.
Legacy is not about money or recognition
These stories remind us that legacy is about the values we share, the lives we touch and the future we help create. Leaving a mark through a charitable gift in a will — no matter if it’s large or small — is one of the most inspiring and tangible ways we can shape our legacy and help fund lasting change. Few of us make the history books, but a gift in a will is a wonderful way we can leave the world just a little better for future generations.
Find out more about charitable gifts in Wills this Remember A Charity Week (7–13 September 2026) at rememberacharity.org.uk
