You are Head of Donations and Legacies. What do you do?

My team and I have many different tasks. We deal with foundations that support specific Rega projects. Han­dling legacies and bequests is also part of our area of responsibility. We are also in contact with donors and people who wish to include Rega in their will. And finally, we deal with donations we receive and express our thanks for them.

When do people make a donation to Rega?

It varies a lot. For example, many patrons round up their patron con­tribution, or they donate on special occasions such as weddings, birth­days or company anniversaries or to commemorate a loved one who died. But we also receive donations after a Rega mission, or during a guided tour of the Rega Center or a base.

Why do people include Rega in their will?

Donations or legacies are often linked to a Rega rescue mission. This might have taken place years or decades ago. As a thank-you, and because they want to do a good deed even after they die, they include us in their will. In this way they make an important contribution to Rega being able to continue its activities and helping people in an emergency. ­ Rega is therefore very thankful for any donation.

Dealing with death is an emotional topic. Do you notice this in your work?

People deal very differently with the topics of wills and death. I often learn something personal or which values are important to a person when I talk to them. The motivation to leave something to Rega has a lot to do wtih their own life story. I find these contacts particularly moving.

Do you know the people who make a will?

We certainly don’t know all the tes­tators. But I wish that we could get to know more people who include Rega in their will while they are still alive so that we could thank them in person.

Do you offer help in drawing up a will?

Studies show that many people don’t know exactly how to write a will and so they don’t write one. But it’s often easier than you think. We offer help in the form our guide to making a will, the instant check and the will template on our website. If the family or asset situation is complex, we recommend seeking legal advice, either from a notary, a lawyer or a trusted bank. For rea­sons of neutrality we do not offer any legal advice ourselves.

What does Rega do with the money or donations?

Donations and testamentary be­quests are both a gift and an ex­pression of trust. Rega invests the money in its core task – providing medical assistance by air to people in an emergency. Because in addi­tion to patronage contributions, legacies and donations also help to secure financing for Rega.