Thank you for your generous support for UNICEF’s humanitarian mission around the world.

Your compassion is greatly appreciated and has helped UNICEF reach more and more children with the help they need.

However, today I want to write to you about something else. Something awkward to write about, that nobody likes to mention – yet it comes to us all.

One day we won’t be here anymore.

When that day comes, even though our families may experience great sadness, wouldn’t it be wonderful for them to know that …

Enduring support 

You are already a most generous donor. I hope you know how much we – and the children we serve – greatly appreciate your long-standing support.

So I hope you will understand why I am writing to you now. You see, your previous kindness places you amongst an incredible group of people who will give my request serious consideration.

Your generosity has helped UNICEF to quickly provide aid to children and their families wherever humanitarian crises occur. You have also let us keep helping them over longer periods of time – such as the current catastrophic conflict in Gaza and the years of devastating war in Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen.

Did you know more children die from dirty water than bullets?

For 71 years UNICEF has been the global leader in providing clean water for children.

Our work in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) has saved the lives of more children than any other humanitarian organisation – a fact we’re particularly proud of.

Years ago, these programs would have involved “merely” drilling a well in a drought prone area. Wells are still being developed, but UNICEF’s more recent work involves longer lasting, sustainable solar-powered water systems.

Nabil with his son Mohammed after he recovered from cholera – with the help of clean water.

This link takes you to a brief report on this project – and how it has changed many families’ lives. When you read it you will hear from Nabil who without clean water, almost lost his three year old son to cholera.

I would also like to share some insights about our water and sanitation programmes:

This features Therese Dooley who has worked with us for 29 years. Starting on the ground in Zimbabwe as a volunteer helping with drought relief, Therese became our Global Advisor & WASH Specialist.

Therese Dooley visiting a school water project during her time working in Afghanistan.

During her time with UNICEF Therese was personally involved in the building of wells and digging boreholes.

So she has seen, first hand, the immense difference these projects make to children – and not just immediately, but also for many, many years after.

Although Therese is now retired and living back in Carlow where she hails from, her work continues to save and change lives.

To stress how important our WASH work is, Therese says:

Now you may be wondering why I’m specifically asking you to leave UNICEF a gift in your Will. The reason is the work I have mentioned above, and much of what UNICEF does around the world, has an impact for generations of children over many decades.

To know that UNICEF will be able to afford what needs to be spent on these longer term development projects …

With experts telling us by 2040 almost 1 in 4 children in the world will live in areas of extremely high water stress, things are only getting worse. Which is why UNICEF is already planning for this scenario.

Future generations 

In order to fund this critical longer term work UNICEF needs to have a large ongoing investment fund. And it is for this essential fund I am appealing to you to consider leaving UNICEF a gift in your Will for future generations of children.

This fund needs gifts of all sizes and I hope, having considered this, you will leave us a gift.

To help you better understand how to do it, we have produced a short guide. To receive your complimentary copy simply complete this simple form

Or, if you prefer, please call my helpful colleague – and our dedicated Legacy Gifts expert –
Pauline Murphy on 01 878 3000 or send her an email.

I do appreciate deciding to leave UNICEF a gift in your Will probably isn’t a quick decision for
you, or anyone, to make. And you may wish to discuss it with your family.

But if you decide that it is what you would like to do, Pauline will be able to help you with the
process.

To do something which causes a seismic change to so many children’s lives over decades to come is a truly incredible thing. It could be your legacy to future generations.

Thank you once again for your kindness and support and for taking the time to read this.