What is a bequest?

A bequest is a gift that is contained within a Will and specifically reserves part of an estate for a particular beneficiary. Your bequest can be either named or anonymous.

A bequest of any size is valuable to Southcare. It may be:

• A sum of money from your estate

• A house or other property

• A fixed percentage of your estate

• Shares, bonds, life insurance policies, artworks

• Other personal property

By making a bequest, you may be able to provide financial help to Southcare not possible during your lifetime. It is a tangible way of making a lasting gift to ensure the services provided by Southcare will be available to the community in the years to come.

You may consider leaving a bequest or making a donation to Southcare Inc because:

• You want to make a contribution to your community

• You believe in the Mission of Southcare

• You or someone you know has benefited from Southcare's services

• You are or have been an active volunteer or a member of staff

Your bequest will be directed to:

Southcare's Edyth Bishop Trust Fund

In 1997 Southcare Inc. received a bequest from the Estate of Mrs Edyth Bishop. Edyth Bishop was a long-term resident of the City of South Perth. She had been involved in and supported the establishment of many local community initiatives.

Edyth Bishop had never visited Southcare or ever received any of its services. She learnt about Southcare from a friend who was a volunteer who used to tell Mrs Bishop about her voluntary work at the agency.

Edyth Bishop's respect of and support for the work undertaken was evidenced by her generous donation to Southcare.

The Executive Committee of Southcare believed that the most responsible way to honour this donation was to establish a fund, and name the Fund, the Edyth Bishop Trust Fund; the Principal of this Fund to be preserved and the interest to be used to meet any community needs not fully covered by Government funding, or when Government funding is unavailable.The long-term goal is to build on this fund, so that the organisation can become as self-sufficient as possible. To date the interest from this fund is used to support the position of a Volunteer Coordinator. The person carrying out this important role within the agency is responsible for recruitment, selection, training and support for the one hundred and forty volunteers who assist in the work of Southcare, and upon which the agency greatly depends.

Unless otherwise requested, the names of the contributors to the Edyth Bishop Fund are published in Southcare’s Annual Report. In these difficult times, Southcare’s future survival depends on the steady and continued growth of this fund.

For a confidential discussion contact Vicki McBeth on 9450 6233.