Coastguard Howick has benefitted from a bequeath from a well-known east Aucklander’s estate and is encouraging others to consider doing the same.
Howick and national swimming legend Sandra Blewett MBE, who died on January 1, 2024, left Coastguard Howick funds from her estate for which it’s highly appreciative.
“Howick Volunteer Coastguard is very grateful to Sandra Blewett for her very generous and substantial bequeathment to our voluntary service,” says Blair Telfer, Coastguard Howick president.
“Donations like these help us provide our critical first response and life-saving actions to all Hauraki Gulf water users, ensuring we are always ‘rescue ready’.
“We welcome and greatly appreciate any and all donations anyone from the community feels they can make to our voluntary cause including any estate bequeaths like this from Sandra.”
Telfer adds Blewett was not an ex-Coastguard volunteer “but knew some of our volunteers”.
“We have a ‘coastguardian’ bequeathment fund available.”
He says Coastguard Howick has had previous bequeathments and acknowledges another recent one from the estate of the late Sheila Parks, a strong Howick community supporter.
“We would like to raise awareness of the option for people to make estate bequeathments and endowments, recognising the need for these donations for voluntary community organisations, and not just Howick Volunteer Coastguard,” Telfer says.
Funding of the essential Coastguard Howick service is a mix of public money and donations its members collect throughout the year from the east Auckland community.
The Public Trust says a bequest “is the giving of assets or a sum of money to individuals or organisations through your will”.
A bequeath can take on many forms, the Public Trust says, and are often considered as a residuary bequest – a gift of whatever is left in a person’s estate after all debts and other gifts have been paid; and a specific bequest – when leaving to a particular someone or organisation, that could be cash or an asset.
“You might choose to gift assets such as shares property, and jewellery or provide money to family members, friends, community groups or charities,” says the Public Trust.
“After taking care of your loved ones, bequests to charities and not-for-profit organisations can provide important funding.
“If you make a bequest, it can be an enduring gift that becomes part of your legacy.
“Leaving as little as 1 per cent of your estate can make a tremendous difference without you having to compromise on making sure those closest to you receive something significant as well.
“Consider asking yourself: What do you care about and is there a local or global organisation that aligns with you and your family’s values?” asks the Public Trust.
“What organisations are needing support? Where do you see your legacy living on? What kind of gift will you leave? Property? Some kind of useful asset? Money?”
