Leave a gift in your Will: Together, we can end avoidable blindness

Fred saw beyond his own lifetime to a world without avoidable blindness. Today, many of our supporters have followed in Fred’s footsteps and created their own legacy of sight for a brighter future. By choosing to leave a gift in your Will to The Fred Hollows Foundation, you too can help create a future in which everyone can access high-quality, affordable eye care, and no one is needlessly blind. While we understand your loved ones must come first, your Will is also an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. Supporters choose to leave a gift for many reasons: to honour their values, create lasting impact, and help future generations experience clear vision. 

Here is why four supporters decided to leave a gift in their Will. 

Why I want my values to live on 

Alison believes leaving a gift in her Will is about purpose and possibility. 

“There are many of Fred Hollows’ quotes that touch the heart and one of my favourites is ‘to enrich someone’s life is to be purposeful in ours.’ 

The Foundation enriches people’s lives far beyond restoring sight. Knowing the family of Fred Hollows is still involved gives me confidence that his vision is being realised. 

I chose to leave a gift in my Will because I want my values to live on. My children are self sufficient and I know my gift can make a lasting impact restoring sight around the world. It feels good to know lives will be improved because of my contribution.” 

A gift in your Will allows your values to create change long after you are gone.

A lifelong connection to eye health 

Leanne’s connection to eye health is deeply personal. Her sight was saved as a child by Fred Hollows. 

“I have funny memories of Fred that show his rough character but big heart. He used to tell me to sit down and bloody well don’t blink. 

I also have fond memories of Gabi Hollows teaching me to put my contacts in. 

Whenever I see Gabi at Foundation events, she introduces me as one of her oldest patients and friends. 

I decided to leave a gift in my Will because of my long connection to Fred and Gabi and the good work we all believe in. My hope is that his legacy will continue to transform lives well into the future.” 

For Leanne, this gift honours the care she received and helps ensure others can experience life changing eye health support. 

Supporting an important self-evident cause 

Alan believes giving should be focused on impact. 

“My personal philosophy towards charity is ensuring my donations reduce the most amount of suffering.” 

That’s what led him to support The Fred Hollows Foundation. He sees its work as both effective and far-reaching — delivering cost-effective treatments to people who need them most. 

“To restore the gift of sight is an important, self-evident cause and the Foundation does that work fantastically.” 

Alan also sees Fred Hollows’ vision and tenacity carried through in the organisation today, particularly in its belief that “every eye is an eye.” 

“I truly believe it will still be the most outstanding charitable organisation for a long time into the future.” 

For Alan, it’s also about playing his part, that confidence in the Foundation’s work has led him to leave a gift in his Will. 

“I’m no doctor, but I know that through supporting the Foundation, I can serve in the best way that I can.” 

Alan’s story shows how a gift in your Will can be a practical way to support work that delivers real, lasting impact. 

A personal understanding of sight and its value 

Margaret is choosing to leave a gift in her Will because she understands how profoundly sight can change a life. 

Her own connection to eye health is deeply personal. Her mother lived to 99 but spent many years with glaucoma, eventually becoming legally blind. Watching her mother navigate that long decline shaped Margaret’s understanding of how precious vision truly is. Years later, Margaret herself was diagnosed with glaucoma and underwent cataract surgery. She recalls the quickness and effectiveness of the procedure with gratitude, knowing firsthand “the true difference it makes to finally be able to see without looking through cloudy eyes.” 

Margaret was drawn to The Fred Hollows Foundation after seeing its work and learning about Fred’s commitment to “teaching the teacher,” ensuring local doctors could continue restoring sight long after he was gone. Including the Foundation in her Will felt like a natural extension of her support. 

She believes her legacy gift can help restore sight and transform lives, supporting individuals, families and communities for generations to come. 

Margaret’s story reflects what many supporters feel. A gift in your Will is a meaningful way to create lasting change, giving independence, dignity and the ability to fully engage with life. 

Why supporters choose to leave a gift in their Will 

Supporters tell us their motivations often include: 

• Impact beyond a lifetime. A gift in your Will can help train eye surgeons and restore sight for people who would otherwise remain needlessly blind. Read more about our impact here. 

• Alignment with values. Many choose to support causes that reflect their beliefs and desire to create positive change. 

• Family first. Supporters often provide for loved ones and then choose to leave a small share of their estate to a cause they care about. 

• Confidence in impact. With decades of proven impact, supporters trust the Foundation’s ability to deliver lasting change. 

No matter the size of each individual gift, collectively, the impact is great. Even a small share of your estate, after you have taken care of your loved ones, can have a huge impact. 

Remembering the legacy of our supporters 

Many of our supporters who choose to leave a gift in their Will also inspire us through their stories and generosity. You can read more about their journeys and the impact they hope to create. 

Read stories of supporters and remember the legacy they leave behind. 

These stories honour the values of people who believe in a world where everyone has the right to sight. 

How to leave a gift in your Will 

Including a gift in your Will is a simple process. If you are exploring ways to include a gift in your Will, we offer practical resources and guidance: 

• Wording for Wills: suggested wording to ensure your wishes are clear 

• Types of Gifts: there are different types of gifts you can leave  

• Information for Solicitors: resources for legal professionals 

• Webinars: expert sessions on estate planning and the impact of legacy giving 

Our webinars are a great way to learn more about planning your legacy and understanding how gifts in Wills create lasting change. 

The impact of leaving a gift in your Will 

A gift in your Will is a special decision that ensure that the beliefs and values you live by today will keep transforming lives long after you are gone. It will help: 

• Train eye surgeons and strengthen health systems 

• Restore sight for people living with avoidable blindness 

• Empower communities and improve quality of life 

• Continue the vision of creating a world where everyone has the right to sight 

Your legacy can be the gift of vision. 

Photo credit: Michael Amendolia

Learn more 

The decision to leave a gift in your Will is a deeply personal one, and we are here to help. For more information on how to leave a gift, download our free brochure here or contact our friendly Gifts in Wills team on 1800 526 413 or at [email protected]. 

A gift in your Will is a meaningful way to support eye health and restore sight for generations to come. Thank you. 

“I believe the basic attribute of mankind is to look after each other.”

- Fred Hollows