The Band Benevolent Fund made grants to ex members of the Band Service totalling £7,147.

In the FY 07/08, unfortunately, all these funds have already exceeded these figures.

Please read on to see how you can help those less fortunate than yourself by including a Royal Marines charity in your will.

ROYAL MARINES BENEVOLENT FUND

The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund's principal purpose is to benefit persons who are serving or who have served in the Royal Marines, or their dependants, to relieve need, hardship or distress. The Fund was formed in 1997 and subsumed the following funds and their purposes:

The Upton Kelly Memorial Fund. The aim of the fund is to relieve distress or necessity amongst officers who have served in the Royal Marines, officers' widows, and their dependants.

Royal Marines Tercentenary Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide on death, from any causes, for either serving Royal Marines, or a Reservist on duty, a sum of money for the widow or recorded next of kin to relieve initial financial problems. The Trustees may alter the sum of money authorised from time to time; the grant is currently £5,000.

Royal Marines Welfare Fund. The income to this fund may be used to relieve distress amongst serving and retired Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines, their widows and dependants.

Royal Marines Band Benevolent Fund. The fund is used to relieve needy or distressed, serving or retired RM Band Service ranks or their dependants. The income is derived from donations, dividends and interest.

www.justgiving.com/rmbf - RMBF online donations

THE ROYAL MARINES 1939 WAR FUND.

This fund exists to provide benevolence support to serving and retired Royal Marines, their wives, families and dependants, who are in some form of need and also to support the efficiency and esprit de corps of the Royal Marines. This fund is the principal regimental fund and in addition to its benevolence work, it constructs and maintains war memorials, supports veteran's reunions, pays for wreaths and provides support to Royal Marines deployed overseas on operations and their families at home. It is the Corps' most flexible fund and, as such, is the Corps Trustees' designated priority for fundraising and donations. The income for this fund is also derived from donations, dividends and interest.

www.justgiving.com/royalmarineswarfund - 1939 Fund online donations

YOUR WILL

WHY A WILL IS SO IMPORTANT

Making a will is one of the most important acts in your life. Without a will, the law will decide what happens to your estate (everything you own when you die). This may cause distress and heartache to those you love and value most: your family and dearest friends and it will take longer to prove the will.

IS YOUR WILL VALID?

Do not risk making a mistake - take professional advice. A straightforward will prepared by a solicitor, or professional will writer, should not be expensive, especially when compared to the value of your estate. A will may be declared invalid if it does not contain the appointment of at least one executor and/or has not been signed and dated by you in the presence of two witnesses who must also sign the will. Witnesses do not need to know the contents of your will but ought not themselves be beneficiaries, since being a witness could invalidate any gift bequeathed to them.

REMEMBER

A new will can be made at any time, but for minor alterations, such as leaving a bequest to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund or the Royal Marines 1939 War fund. It may be cheaper and simpler to add a codicil, which again should be made with the help of your solicitor or qualified legal adviser.

HELP CHARITY AND SAVE TAX

Capital Gains Tax
Any charity receiving a residuary bequest can avoid liability for Capital Gains Tax by simply instructing the Executors in writing to sell as Bare Trustees on their behalf assets first appropriated to them in book form (i.e. stocks and shares). By this means any profits arising on those assets between death and disposal will pass untaxed to the charity concerned.

Inheritance Tax In addition to a surviving spouse, registered charities are completely exempt from Inheritance Tax and its predecessor Capital Transfer Tax. Consequently if the tax-free portion of an estate is left to relatives and friends and the remainder goes to charity, the entire estate becomes tax-free irrespective of size. Even where the personal bequests exceed the tax-free limit, substantial savings can still be made by leaving the balance to charity, who will benefit from the 40p in every £1 which would otherwise go to the exchequer.

INCOME TAX

This is reclaimable at the standard rate by charities that receive taxed income as part of their inheritance under a Will. Claims have to be submitted to the Inland Revenue by charities on Forms R185E or equivalent prepared by the Executors for each financial year involved. This does not apply for instance to Building Society interest earned between the date of death of a life tenant and the winding up of a Trust.

HOW TO REMEMBER US IN YOUR WILL

The Trustees of the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund are deeply grateful for bequests of all kind in order that the Fund an continue to provide grants to benefit persons who are serving or who have served in the Royal Marines, or their dependants, to relieve need, hardship or distress. The Trustees would like to take this opportunity to suggest the following wording for inclusion in your Will, depending on your particular wishes and circumstances.

RESIDUARY BEQUEST

"Subject as aforesaid I give, devise and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the whole (or a ............share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper of officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof "Pecuniary Legacy

"I give and bequeath to the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the sum of £ ................. for its general charitable purpose and declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof."Conditional Bequest

"In the event of my brother (or other named relative or friend etc) predeceasing me I give and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, the whole (or a ................ share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof. "Reversionary Bequest

"On the death of my son (or other named relative or friend) I give and bequeath to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund the whole (or a .............. share) of my residuary estate for its general charitable purposes and declare that the receipt of a Treasurer or other proper officer shall be sufficient discharge thereof. "For any further information or advice please do not hesitate to contact the RM Assistant Corps Secretary, HMS EXCELLENT, Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire P02 8ER Telephone (023) 9254 7201 e-mail royalmarines.charities@charity.vfree.com

N.B. In each instance 'The Royal Marines 1939 War Fund may be inserted where at the moment 'The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund' is written.