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The charity making life better by water

Boy leans against father sitting next to the canal in the sun

Leave a gift in your Will

A gift in your Will helps to ensure that all you love about our waterways lives on for future generations to enjoy.

Writing a Will is one of the best things you can do to make sure your wishes are respected, your loved ones are looked after, and the causes you care about most are recognised.

If canals have played a special part in your life and you would like future generations to experience the wonder of our waterways, consider living a gift in your Will to us.

How will a gift in my Will make a difference?

Our canals are a wonderful 200 year-old, 2000 mile-long ribbon of precious blue and green space running past the doorsteps of nearly nine million people. Once the nation's industrial arteries, they now provide a place we can visit, spend time together and get close to nature.

Our canals may be vital but their sheer age also makes them vulnerable. We need to make sure they have a future. By considering a gift in your Will you can help us transform places and change lives.

It costs £194m every year simply to maintain our canals. To keep them thriving for nature and communities alike, we need your help.

By considering a gift in your Will you can help to:

Protect our heritage

A narrowboat crosses the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

We look after over 2,700 listed buildings, 50 scheduled monuments and four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Across our network, you can find international, national and locally designated bridges, locks, buildings, and more, all recognised for their architectural and historic significance. A gift in your will can ensure we can protect and conserve our heritage for future generations to enjoy.

Ensure wildlife thrives

A vole looks out from the bankside on a canal

Our waterways provide an incredibly important wildlife corridor, creating connected habitats for many species. Maintaining habitats needs careful custodianship to ensure that wildlife can thrive. A gift in your Will can support our work to boost biodiversity and support wildlife recovery in the face of huge decline in recent years.

Improve wellbeing

A couple walking their dogs along the towpath on a sunny day

We believe no other UK charity brings so much free, accessible blue and green space to the doorsteps of so many people, and we're constantly working to make our canals better for communities. A gift in your Will can help futureproof our wonderful waterways and ensure that they remain a valuable space to the millions who use them each year.

Meet our supporters

Read more from those who have already decided to leave a legacy with us and why they chose our charity.

Already left a gift in your Will, or thinking of doing so?

Please let us know so that we can thank you for your generosity and show you the impact you are making to our waterways and the people who share your love of them.

We would also like to invite you to one of our special events where you can meet the staff and volunteers that care for our canals and rivers, and get an exclusive behind the scenes look at our work and projects.

Recent events have included:

  • Diglis Island and Fish Pass: A special look at the fascinating fish pass designed and built to help save the fish populations in the River Severn at Worcester, our guests had a memorable day with a tours and talks of this marvel.

  • Anderton Boat Lift: A feat of engineering, the Anderton Boat Lift is a sight to behold. Our guests enjoyed exclusive talks and a boat trip to show off the lift to its full capabilities.

  • Roundhouse Birmingham: A fascinating piece of architecture, the horseshoe-shaped building has an interesting past that our guests were walked through, guided by our heritage advisors.

Looking for more information?

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding gifts in Wills, please email [email protected].

Last Edited: 12 February 2024

photo of a location on the canals
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