A SOMERSET law company is offering to write basic wills for people in November in exchange for donations to leading charities.
Lyons Bowe Solicitors is taking part in Will Aid, which aims to ensure people have up-to-date wills and raise money for good causes.
Participating solicitors draw up a basic will for clients without charging their usual fee.
Instead, the campaign suggests donations of £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills, saving clients money compared to normal solicitor fees.
Lyons Bowe, which has offices in Bridgwater, Frome, Shepton Mallet, Bristol, and Keynsham, raised £2,740 for the campaign last year.
Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid, said: “The last couple of years have been exceptionally challenging for people, and the cost-of-living crisis has unfortunately added to that.
“While the challenges may have changed, one thing that remains the same is the importance of having a will in place to protect your wishes. This document can provide support to the loved ones you leave behind, as well as causes close to you through legacies.
“I encourage anyone who does not have an up-to-date will to use this opportunity to get theirs this November, while supporting the life-changing work of our nine partner charities.”
Since launching in 1988, Will Aid has helped 340,000 people write their wills and raised more than £22 million for charity.
Writer and journalist Robert Peston, who is a Will Aid ambassador, added: “When my late wife Siân Busby and I wrote our wills in our early 40s, we assumed this was boring insurance for an event that would never happen.
“Only ten years later, Siân died after a horrible illness, and it fell to me to sort out her affairs.
“Devastated by grief, not really thinking straight, I was so grateful that she had written down what she wanted to do with her money and possessions, and had given clear instructions about what should be done with her ashes.
“Even as a spouse who would have inherited everything under the law, if she hadn’t got a will, it was so much easier and less stressful to do what she had chosen, rather than deploying my own judgement – especially since I was in shock from her death and would be for many months.”
All money raised by Will Aid is shared between ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers, and Trocaire.
People can book their will appointment for this November by calling 0300 0300 013 or visiting www.willaid.org.uk.
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