Remember a Charity: sharing Charlie's story
9-15 September marks this year's Remember a Charity Week - an opportunity to consider leaving a gift to charity in your will.
Last year 25% of our donations came from gifts in wills. These gifts are a crucial way for us to continue supporting children and young people in the UK, and ensure they have the safe and happy childhoods they deserve.
This includes young people like Charlie.
For as long as he can remember, 18-year old Charlie has lacked stability in his life. From the age of six, he was placed in and out of foster care before going to live with his dad. However, this wasn’t the stable, safe home-life he had hoped for, and he again spent the next few years moving back and forth in unstable accommodation.
When I became homeless, Action for Children was there for me. The support I received was a crucial stepping stone to becoming a foster child. They were kind of a lifeline for me.
Things reached breaking point after a family breakdown at the beginning of the first lockdown. During this time, Action for Children were able to provide emergency homelessness accommodation at our Guernsey Nightstop Service, as well as emotional and practical support. This included help with his gender transition.
Your legacy could transform a child's life
With the help of Action for Children, Charlie moved back into foster care. Finally, he had the stability he needed.
Charlie explains:
“When I went to my new foster family, it was such a different lifestyle to what I lived before. I'd moved around so much that I didn't feel comfortable settling anywhere. I'm still in contact with them and consider them my parents. We've been on holidays together, and their kids and I all call each other brothers. They're my family.”
Now, Charlie is looking forward to the future. He's entered the world of work, and is keen to continue his activism work and public speaking.
“I can see how I've made a difference in social services and that's why I do it. Seeing how I'm changing things is incredible. Alongside my studies I really want to do a program for the homeless and I'm really excited to work with Action for Children in the future.”
Charlie is just one young person we've helped, but there are thousands of children, young people, and families that still need our support.
We're calling on UK governments to help more children in care have what every child needs
Last year, we helped 765,905 children, young people, and their families across the UK. But we couldn't do it without the incredible support of people like you. By leaving a gift in your will, you'll be leaving a lasting legacy that could help us ensure more safe and happy childhoods for those most in need.
How to leave a gift in your will to Action for Children
We know that wills can be a difficult subject to discuss. So we've created a useful guide to help you navigate all the information and write a will you're happy with.
Alternatively, if you’re ready to write your will, you can write your will for free through our partnership with Farewill.
Every child deserves a place to call home
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