The gift of a lasting legacy

One of the greatest privileges of serving as President is the opportunity to shape the future of our profession and ensure that the College continues to thrive for generations to come. Throughout my career, I have been committed to giving back through mentorship, leadership and philanthropy. But I have also been profoundly moved by the generosity of our Members and Fellows, who support the College not just in their lifetimes but also through the extraordinary act of legacy giving.

Some of our most transformative advancements – the Quincentenary celebrations that established our Skills Lab, the Lister Project that elevated our museum to world-class status, and the fellowships and bursaries that continue to push the boundaries of surgical excellence – were made possible through generous donations from our community and also from gifts in wills. These legacies have shaped the College’s history and they will define its future.

Leaving a gift in your will is a powerful and enduring statement of your values. It is a way to ensure that the principles and advancements you’ve championed during your career continue to benefit future generations of surgeons. Your legacy can support the next wave of surgical trainees, fund pioneering research or improve patient outcomes in the areas of greatest need.

I have had the privilege of helping establish the MacLeod McLaren Medal, which will be awarded for the first time at this year’s Triennial and ICOSET Conference. This initiative was made possible by the generosity of Professor Stephen MacLeod, one of our esteemed Fellows, who has pledged a gift in his will to ensure the medal’s continuation. Recognising the work of multidisciplinary teams in improving patient safety, the medal is named in honour of Professor MacLeod’s late aunts, both dedicated NHS nurses. His act of giving ensures their legacy lives on through the recognition of excellence in surgical care. 

Reflecting on his decision, Professor MacLeod explains:
“I chose to leave a gift to the College for several reasons. The College was very good to me and, in many ways, has defined my professional life and thus, by extension, my personal life, with colleagues and friends I’ve known for more than 40 years. The idea of giving in the name or in memory of someone helps that person’s memory to live on. When you look at the College diploma ceremonies and you see the various medals being awarded, it harks back to another day and makes you realise what a wonderfully long history you’re in touch with.”

To make legacy giving more accessible, we are pleased to offer a free will-writing service to our Members and Fellows through our partnership with Thomas Bradley & Co. While there is no obligation to leave a gift to the College, leaving even a 1% bequest can make a lasting impact. Whatever the size of your contribution, you can be assured that your generosity will help uphold the College’s mission of advancing surgical standards and improving patient outcomes – something we have done for more than 500 years.

If you have already included the College in your will, thank you. We would be honoured to hear about your pledge, ensuring your gift is directed to an area that reflects your values and interests. Your legacy can shape the future of surgery. By remembering the College in your will, you join a remarkable tradition of Fellows and Members whose generosity fuels progress, education, and innovation. Together, we can ensure that the College continues to lead the way in surgical excellence for the next 500 years and beyond. To learn more about leaving a gift in your will and our free will-writing service, scan the QR code or visit https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/support/a-living-legacy. Alternatively, you can arrange for a confidential discussion about your legacy wishes by emailing Sarah Hutton in our Development Office at s.hutton@rcsed.ac.uk.