Former football great Pat asks Sligo people to leave a legacy gift for a good cause
IRISH charities have noticed a positive increase in rates of legacy giving over the past five years, according to research carried out by My Legacy, an umbrella group of 80 Irish charities who are celebrating My Legacy Month with ambassador Pat Spillane.
Research released to mark International Legacy Giving Day, also revealed that 44% of their member charities believe that the biggest challenge to increasing legacy giving in Ireland is down to a lack of awareness about how to leave a legacy gift for a charity. As the ambassador for My Legacy Month, Pat Spillane - whose wife Rosarii is a Carraroe native and son Pat Jr is an intercounty gaelic footballer with Sligo - hopes to change that.
Pat said: “Having recently made some big career decisions in my life and having taken a step back from my GAA punditry, it has given me time to take stock and consider what’s important to me and what I want next in life.
“My father died suddenly when I was very young and reflecting on that time, I realise how important it is to have your affairs in order for your own peace of mind and for your family too.
“Some people might be uncomfortable talking about wills and it can be something that people put on the long finger but it is a much easier process than people might realise. It’s an important task whatever stage of life you’re at – whether that’s buying your first home, starting a family, or even retiring or taking your career in a new direction like I am right now.
Information on how to make a will and the My Legacy Month campaign is available at www.mylegacy.ie.