Will Aid Makes A Million

Monday 22nd February 2010

For the first time, the charity Will-writing campaign, Will Aid, has raised more than £1 million in donations and Gift Aid. Money is still coming in at a brisk rate and will continue to do so for some months yet. The 9,000 people who used the scheme during November to write their Will also promised over £5.3 million in legacies to the Will Aid charities.

All over the UK, solicitors volunteered to draw up basic Wills during November 2009 to give clients the opportunity to make a donation to Will Aid rather than paying the solicitor's usual fee. The general public responded with enthusiasm with many reporting to their Will Aid solicitor that the campaign had given them just the push they needed to finally write their Will.

Claire Routley, Chair of Will Aid, responded to this great news:

"The Will Aid charities are thrilled that Will Aid 2009 has raised more than £1 million. At a time when many charities are feeling the pinch it's great to be able report that Will Aid has bucked the trend. The income from this appeal makes a fantastic difference to our work with vulnerable people in the UK and all around the world.  I would like to express our thanks to all the solicitors who worked so hard for us and the general public whose generosity has yet again astounded us. The campaign will run again in November 2010 and we hope that its appeal will continue to grow."

Shirley Marsland, Will Aid Campaign Manager, said:

 "Will Aid is now the UK's Make a Will Month and will run every November. This year, we hope to recruit more solicitors so that the public have even more opportunity to write or update their Will and give vital funds to the Will Aid charities."