Leave a Legacy…

BDMLR Legacy Giving

Protect Marine Wildlife for Generations to Come

A lasting act of compassion

A gift in your Will to British Divers Marine Life Rescue is a powerful way to protect the marine wildlife. After taking care of your loved ones, even a small legacy can help ensure whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals always have someone to call on when they are in distress.

Legacy gifts help us train new Medics, maintain essential rescue equipment, support our emergency hotline, and strengthen our ability to respond to complex incidents—from entanglements to large whale strandings.

A legacy gift is more than a donation. It is a promise that the compassion you’ve shown in your lifetime will continue to protect vulnerable marine animals for years to come.

How your legacy helps

  • Supports our emergency hotline, which coordinates rescues nationwide
  • Funds training for new Marine Mammal Medics
  • Helps maintain and replace specialist rescue equipment
  • Strengthens regional rescue capacity across the UK
  • Ensures BDMLR can respond to complex, large‑scale incidents
  • Protects future generations of marine wildlife

Types of gifts you can leave

  • Residuary gift—a percentage of your estate after other gifts and expenses
  • Pecuniary gift—a fixed amount of money
  • Specific gift—an item of value, such as equipment or shares

Every gift, of any size, makes a meaningful difference.

Suggested Wording for your Will

Your solicitor may find the following wording helpful:

“I leave [percentage of estate/fixed amount] to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), registered charity number 803438 (England & Wales) / SC039304 (Scotland), to be used for its general charitable purposes.”

We’re here to help

If you’d like to talk confidentially about leaving a gift in your Will, we would be honoured to support you. There is never any obligation—just a warm, friendly conversation about what feels right for you. Please email louise.round@bdmlr.org.uk or call Louise on 07340 352716.


A gift in your Will can help protect marine wildlife for generations to come.

After looking after your loved ones, even a small legacy can make a lasting difference.


Legacy Giving FAQs

(Click on the question to reveal the answer)

Why do people leave gifts in their Wills to BDMLR?

Many supporters choose to leave a legacy because they care deeply about the ocean and want to ensure that marine animals continue to receive help long into the future. It’s a way of extending their compassion beyond their lifetime.

Do I need to be wealthy to leave a legacy?

Not at all. Many people leave a small percentage of their estate or a modest fixed amount. Every gift, whatever the size, helps protect marine wildlife.

Should I look after my family first?

Absolutely. We always encourage supporters to take care of loved ones before considering a gift to BDMLR.

Do I need a solicitor to update my Will?

We recommend using a qualified solicitor to ensure your wishes are recorded correctly. They can add a simple amendment (codicil) if you already have a Will.

Can I choose how my gift is used?

Most supporters leave their gift for BDMLR’s general charitable purposes, which allows us to direct funds where they are needed most. If you have a specific area in mind, we’re happy to discuss this with you.

Do I need to tell BDMLR if I’ve left a gift?

You don’t have to, but we would love to know so we can thank you properly and keep you updated on our work. Any information you share will be kept confidential.

Can I change my mind later?

Yes. You can update or amend your Will at any time.

What if my circumstances change?

Your Will is entirely flexible. If your situation changes, you can adjust your plans whenever you need to.

Is there someone I can speak to?

Yes—we’re always happy to talk, in confidence and without any pressure. You can call Louise on 07340 352716 or email her at louise.round@bdmlr.org.uk