Having the will to help out at work

MS Plus employee Ben Holgate says he wants to give something back to the charity where he’s worked for the past five years.

'It’s the clients and people I work with that make it a special place,' said Ben, Executive Manager of Strategic Fundraising.

'Before I came to work here, I didn’t know many people living with MS. Since then, I’ve met plenty of wonderful men and women living with the condition. Our clients are remarkable people doing amazing things despite the massive challenges they often face daily.

'What also impresses me is the community around MS and how people living challenging symptoms find the energy to help with the fundraising at the front line. I find that incredibly moving.'

Ben said MS Plus was doing exceptional work through support services to help people cope, as well as funding research to find new treatments and ultimately, a cure. It was another reason he was planning to leave a gift in his Will to his employer.

Ben didn’t always work for the non-profit sector. Born in the UK, he had a successful career in advertising agencies. He arrived in Australia in 1996, taking on increasingly senior corporate marketing positions until he took a social marketing role for a government agency. He soon found he preferred work that had a social benefit.

He later worked as director of fundraising and marketing at Plan International for six years before joining MS Plus in 2017. Ben has also volunteered on charity boards like Circus Oz and The Wilderness Society, feeling the need to contribute to society in other ways besides paid work. In his spare time, he’s also a practising artist who has exhibited his work around Australia.

Working for MS Plus made Ben question how he could do more to help those living with MS.

He did what he could on the job front. He helped hone fundraising events like the well-loved MS Sydney to the Gong bike ride and launched the charity’s lottery program to help keep dollars rolling in. The much-loved MS Readathon was relaunched and won the Fundraising Institute Australia Award for the Most Outstanding Fundraising Campaign in 2020.

In his own time, Ben participated in the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS challenge in Tasmania, where he raised over $3,000 through peer-to-peer fundraising.

Then he got another idea from his future strategic planning manager.

Laura Henschke, originally from Peru, told him about her plan to leave a gift in her Will to MS Plus as a thank you for a great life in Australia. After thinking about it, Ben decided he would do the same.

When he turned 61, he went to a lawyer to update his will and, after making provisions for his family, included a gift to MS Plus.

'I’m committed to helping the cause,' he said.

He thinks other board members, executives and senior managers should also consider doing the same for their charitable organisations or causes they love.

'It doesn’t have to be a lot of money. It’s what you can afford to do. But it’s important to put a stake in the ground and show your commitment to your charity monetarily,' he said.

As for where Ben would like his gift to go, he’s thinking outside the box.

'So many people want to put a gift in their will towards research to find a cure for MS. I totally understand why they would do that. But I’m going to do something different. It’s important to leave something in the general pot to help the organisation keep the lights on. Also to pay bills and staff. All charities need offices, furniture, accountants, program managers and IT people to function,' he said.

'I know people often grumble about admin costs, but they can help a charity have real impact and do more great work. If a charity is well run, I know I can trust them to do the right thing with my gift,' he said.

He said his wife was supportive of his legacy plan, and has made plans of her own to support her preferred causes too.

A gift in your Will costs nothing right now, but will have a profound impact on the future for people who live with MS. Like Ben, you can leave a legacy of care and life-changing kindness.

If you’re thinking about leaving a gift to MS Plus in your Will, our friendly Gifts in Wills Manager Laura Henschke will happily answer any questions you may have. You can contact Laura by calling 1800 443 867 or send Laura an email at Laura.Henschke@ms.org.au

You can find more information at the My MS Legacy websiteopens in new tab.