The charity making life better by water
Making life better by water
Pass on your love of canals through a gift in your Will and keep the magic alive for years to come.
Okay, Granddad. Where is it then? I'm definitely in the right spot for it. Come on, Granddad. Where is it? Oh! Is that...? Is that it? Voiceover: For generations, our canals have brought us closer. Did you see that, Granddad? Voiceover: Help keep them alive with a gift in your Will to Canal & River Trust. Search 'Canal Wills' today and get your free canal guide.
We often hear how canals have positively impacted people's lives, as well as the lives of their children, grandchildren, friends and communities.
But our much-loved historic network is becoming more vulnerable as it ages, and we need to ensure that it is here for future generations and wildlife.
Will you help shape the future of canals with a gift in your Will?
Read the stories of those who left a lasting legacy to canals, keeping cherished memories alive across our much-loved network.
If you’ve included a gift to our charity in your Will, or you’re thinking of doing so, please do let us know. We’d love to thank you for your generosity and show you the impact gifts are making to canals and rivers.
To show our appreciation, you would become part of an exclusive group of pledgers. This community of like-minded canal lovers benefits from unique opportunities to see our work in action. Whether it’s the chance to see ongoing lock gate repairs or to hear talks from senior leaders and experts at the Trust, you’ll get exclusive behind the scenes insight into our work.
Take a sneak peek of what you can expect at a gifts in Wills discovery event below.
Meet some of our supporters and discover why they’ve generously chosen to pledge a gift.
Making a Will is great for your peace of mind. It's the only way to make sure you know exactly what happens to your property, money and personal possessions.
Although there's no law that says you must make a Will, it makes all the legalities much easier for those you leave behind. Dying without having an up-to-date Will means it is up to the law to decide how your estate is distributed, which might not reflect your wishes.
A gift to charity is taken out of your estate before it's decided how much inheritance tax must be paid. Over and above supporting a cause that's important to you, some people choose to leave a gift to charity as a way to reduce how much tax is owed.
Contact HMRC or a solicitor for advice about the current Inheritance Tax thresholds and payment rates.
You don't need to be wealthy to leave a gift to charity in your Will. Each and every gift makes a difference. No matter the size or amount, your gift can transform canal spaces and enrich lives by water.
If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to Canal & River Trust, you can request our free gifts in Wills information pack online, or request a copy in the post.
You may also like to join us at a gifts in Wills enquiry event to see first-hand the impact your gift could make. For full details of events taking place near you, please contact us.
Unrestricted gifts are incredibly important as it gives us the flexibility to direct funds where the need is greatest at the time. Not all of our future needs can be envisaged today, as priorities and work may change.
However, many of our supporters wish to support a specific area of the waterways and you are of course very welcome to specify that your gift be for use at a particular site or region. If you are considering doing this, please contact us so we can best advise on ensuring your wishes can be fulfilled.
In order to leave the Canal & River Trust a gift in your Will, your solicitor will need to include the following information:
Name: Canal & River Trust Registered charity number: 1146792 Address: National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW
Please email natasha.emerson@canalrivertrust.org.uk if you have any further questions, and we'll get back to you.
Last Edited: 08 July 2025
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