Vincents Solicitors raises vital funds for charity
Lancashire residents were encouraged to make their wishes known during Will Aid Month
Lancashire law firm Vincents Solicitors has raised £1,680 to support nine different charities by volunteering their time and expertise to write Wills in exchange for charitable donations.
Solicitors from the firm gave up their time in November last year to take part in Will Aid, an annual charity Will-writing campaign which raises vital funds and gives people the reassurance that having a professionally written Will brings.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, the donations will help each of the charities to continue their life-changing work both at home and abroad.
The firm’s participation in the 2022 campaign marks the first time Vincents has taken part in the scheme.
Lisa Lodge, director and head of Vincents’ Private Client department, said: “We’re delighted to have taken part in Will Aid. It benefits not only those without a Will but also supports nine incredibly important charities at a time many good causes are suffering from a reduction in donations.
“We’re proud to have played a part in helping some of the millions of people in the UK without a Will, giving them access to a professional to draw up this important document.
“Many clients who made a Will with us during Will Aid not only gave a donation in lieu of payment, but they also pledged to leave a sum of money to one of the charities in their Will as a legacy gift.
“Knowing the money raised through both donations and legacy gifts will help these nine charities to continue their vital work long into the future is a great feeling, and it’s rewarding for everyone involved to be able to make a difference.”
Will Aid takes place every November, and participating solicitors volunteer their time and expertise and waive their fee for writing a basic Will. It has raised more than £24 million in donations and many millions more in pledged legacies since it launched.
Jonathan Chase, chair of Will Aid, said: “We are so grateful to all the solicitors who gave their time to write Wills, and all those that wrote their Wills through the campaign and made a donation, for their generous support.
“It has been a challenging few years for everyone, but thanks to the generous support of participating firms, we are on our way to getting the campaign back to where it was pre-pandemic.
“The nine partner charities use the donations raised during Will Aid, and the legacies left by Will makers, to help transform the lives of people in need for the better, both here in the UK and around the world.”
Donations support nine of the UK’s best-loved charities – ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).
The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £100 for a single Will and £180 for a pair of mirror Wills.
Will Aid always needs more solicitors to take part, for more information about how to sign up for Will Aid 2023 this November please visit www.willaid.org.uk.
Many firms will be able to write wills at a distance via phone or online consultations. Some firms will only be offering their services remotely. Participating firms can be contacted directly for more information.