Leaving money to charity in your will makes a noticeable difference to organisations, no matter the amount, sector leaders in Jersey have said - which is a polite way of reminding everyone that the cost of living crisis is not technically a reason to cut charities out of your estate entirely.

Marcus Liddiard, from the Association of Jersey Charities, acknowledged that living costs could present "affordability challenges" for potential givers, and that it was "hard to tell" how the cost of living might affect giving - despite noting that "the number of people giving is very, very high compared to the UK." So Jersey: generous, but nervously so.

Bethany Gallichan, chair of the Jersey Fundraising Forum, said she understood some people were struggling, but added that any money left in wills could be "transformational." She said: "I do understand people are struggling with the cost of living crisis, but we do have people who have the ability to leave those gifts, and they can be so transformational, especially to those charitable organisations that are seeing costs rising and services in higher demand." She added such gifts could help fund services for islanders struggling with the cost of living - a neat circular arrangement whereby the dead help the living afford the things the dead no longer need.

Research carried out for the Association of Jersey Charities by 4insight found 89% of respondents had given money in the previous 12 months, but younger people and lower-income households were less likely to have donated, with affordability being a "key barrier." Which is the least surprising finding since the invention of the survey.

Liddiard said legacy giving remained important, and people needed to know amounts left in wills did not have to be headline-grabbing. "The ones you hear about often can be the really big ones, but some of most impactful ones are the smaller everyday ones," he said. He added that legacy giving was "one part" of the picture and there was also "opportunity for everybody" to help by volunteering and offering time, skills, representation and support, which was "equally valuable." So if you cannot afford to leave money, you can always leave your Saturday.

Jersey Trees for Life said legacy donations made "a huge difference" to it. It was gifted land at Adelina Wood by Enid Gautier last year, plus Mont Vibert Wood, as well as £20,000 by islanders who passed away. John Michel, from the charity, said it was "very special" to be recognised in wills and it was "really quite inspiring when someone local" made what could be a "transformational" move.

Karla Summers-Shaw, from law firm Viberts, said it was "really easy" for anyone to leave a legacy. "The size of the gift is completely proportionate to the size of a person's estate, and I always say no gift is too small," she said. Reassuring words for anyone worried their estate consists mainly of a bicycle and some regret.

The article also noted that Jersey health charities' work equals £137m, which is a lot of wills, a lot of land, and presumably a lot of very grateful trees.