22
The Keble Review 2013
n writing this article for
The Review
, we want to share with
readers the unusual, perhaps radical, way in which we have
written our wills. In doing this, the College was very much in
mind. Anybody who did not value their time at Keble, and who
does not wish to do anything to help the College, should stop
reading now. For those who are still reading, here is a particular
thought. There are few people wealthy enough to give £100,000
or more as a gift to the College when they are alive; there are
thousands of Old Members who could do so when they die.
Anyone who owns a house in the south of England will, on dying,
leave a great deal of money to somebody. In most cases, the
somebody or bodies will be children and grandchildren, with,
perhaps, some bequest to the College included. This is natural
and right for people who have children and grandchildren – but
for people who, as we do, have no children, the writing of a will is
a quite different matter. We address our words to these people.
Anybody who has children should stop reading now.
Childless reader, you might want to make a nephew or
goddaughter rich when you die but you have an opportunity to
leave a serious amount of money to charities, not least to the
College. In so doing you would both do good and shelter your
estate from inheritance duty. This is what we have decided to
do: 25% is to go to relations and godchildren, 75% to various
charities, of which the College gets half.
There is, however, a trap here. If either of us were to write a will
leaving money in this way, it would leave the surviving husband or
wife destitute. What we have done therefore is to write identical
matching wills under which, when one of us dies the other will get
everything. Only on the second death will the money flow in its
various directions.
It is evident that this procedure requires amicable agreement as
to the charities to be supported and absolute confidence that
the surviving spouse/partner will act in accordance with that
agreement. There are many marriages/partnerships which have
these qualities, which are childless and could very beneficially
apply these principles – but where this particular insight might
not have come to mind. We hope some of you will want to adopt
this legacy strategy. If so, and if you would like to talk it through in
more detail, we shall be happy to do that.
Roger Sainsbury
came up to Keble in 1959, read engineering and was president of the JCR. He made a career in
engineering, construction and business, being responsible for important projects such as the creation of London City Airport.
Susan and he were married in1969; since 1977 they have lived in Muswell Hill in north London. For many years Susan had a
leading role in voluntary work concerning care of the elderly. Roger has always maintained a close connection with Keble, being
President of the KA, 2000-4. Susan too has become a great enthusiast for the College and together they are regularly to be
seen at dinners and other functions. Though having the name, they do not own any supermarkets and thus cannot write a
cheque to fund the Acland development. Their love of Keble is evidenced by an annual donation, given over many years, and
by the special thought that they have given to legacy support.
Legacy Giving
A Message from Roger and Susan Sainsbury
i
The Douglas Price Society
Established in 2006, The
Douglas Price Society is open
to all, Old Members and Keble
friends alike, who have signified
their intention to make a
bequest to the College. An
annual event is held to thank
Society members and to keep
them up to date with Keble news
and plans for the future.
If you would like information
about leaving Keble a legacy and
the related tax benefits involved
in doing so, please contact the
Alumni & Development Office.
