The Trust is deeply appreciative of its members’ support and generosity. It is because of this support, which is very much in keeping with the ancient oriental tradition, that the Trust is able to function on a no-charge basis. Everything runs on donations, from residential retreats to evening and weekend events and classes, to the upkeep and improvement of the buildings.

The full time community is also fully supported by donations, which enables them to focus on study and practice. In return they provide help and guidance to those who wish to follow the Buddha’s teaching, as well as administering, maintaining and improving the resources available to the Trust.

Here are some ways in which people sympathetic to the Trust’s work can help in a practical or financial manner.

Practical Help
There are many opportunities to help out for an afternoon in the house and gardens. Skills such as gardening, cooking, general office work or building are all valuable. Some meditators work from home (e.g. transcribing). Gifts of groceries and home produce are most welcome.

Donations
Anyone wishing to make a one-off donation can do so by cash or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The Aukana Trust’ and posted to 9 Masons Lane, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1QN, England.

Course Donations
At present our costs for running a course are approximately £25 per meditator per day.

Monthly Donations
A donation of £10 or £20 per month on a regular basis greatly helps the Trust with planning and organising future projects. We have included two forms. Completing either is very beneficial to the Trust. The combination of a Standing Order and a Gift Aid Declaration enables the effective value of a gift to be increased as we can claim a refund of tax. You can adjust the Standing Order, increasing, reducing or stopping it at any time.

Alternatively if you would like to set up a Standing Order through your own bank without using our form, here is the information you need.

The Aukana Trust (registered charity no 326938)
Bank: HSBC, Old Town Hall, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England
Account Number: 53038939
Sort Code: 40-13-17

Click here for Standing order and Gift Aid forms in PDF Format
Click here for the html version

Legacies
It helps the Trust greatly if meditators would consider leaving a legacy in their will.
Below are some examples of types of legacy and the wording needed.

Residuary legacy
A residuary legacy is the gift of the remainder of your estate (or a percentage of the remainder) after all other gifts to friends and family have been distributed and all outgoings have been dealt with.

If you leave your whole estate as a gift, this is also known as a residuary legacy. A residuary legacy is generally of the greatest benefit to Aukana as it's value increases in line with inflation.

Pecuniary legacy
A pecuniary legacy is a fixed sum of money. To avoid the problem of inflation, it is also possible to index link a pecuniary legacy to ensure that the legacy maintains its intended value.

Specific legacy
A specific legacy refers to a particular item of value that has been left in your will, for example, stocks and shares, property, life insurance policies or jewellery.

How to word your legacy
Your solicitor will know how to word a legacy but might find the following wording useful:

We would like to thank all of you who support the Trust and help to make it run so smoothly.