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Will Aid 2017 21
Will Aid are calling for Solicitors to join fundraising drive
Solicitors across the UK are being urged to sign up now to a campaign which raises money for charity and targets the two thirds of Britons who do not have a will.
Will Aid, a month-long drive which sees legal firms across the UK pledge a portion of their time to write basic wills in return for a charitable donation, runs again this November. How- ever, our publicity drive and the list of participating firms goes live from the first week in September, so the sooner firms sign up the earlier they benefit.
Now in its 29th year, Will Aid raises money for nine charities: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save The Children, Sightsavers, Age UK, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland). It has raised more than £19 million since it launched, with an estimated £95 million extra raised in legacy pledges. In that time, over 300,000 wills have been written through the scheme.
A poll conducted in 2017 by Will Aid has shown that across the UK, 61% of people who have a will, used a solicitor to cre- ate it.
Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid said: “One of the advantages of signing up to Will Aid is that Solic- itors benefit from several months of extra local publicity and exposure for their firm by being part of our marketing activ- ity, so the sooner they sign up the more awareness they can raise of their firm.
“Will Aid has made an amazing contribution to the work of the nine participating charities and 2016 was no exception. Thanks to the commitment of local solicitors that took part, many people both in the UK and abroad will receive life-
changing support and local people who used the scheme have the peace of mind thanks to having a professionally drawn up will.
“Solicitors raised an incredible amount of money in 2016, but we need more solicitors if we are to satisfy demand. We are urging more solicitors to sign up and donate time in 2017. Being part of Will Aid will raise the profile of your firm in your local community and bring new clients to your door, and all whilst supporting nine of the UK’s best loved charities.”
Chris Andrews, a partner at John Fowlers Solicitors, which has offices across North Essex was the third highest fundraising firm last year, raising £14,260.
He said: “Ironically, we have found that through doing some- thing altruistic, we have actually benefitted hugely ourselves too.
“We were introduced to dozens of new clients, many of which have continued to work with us and our business has been much celebrated in the regional press which has helped boost our reputation and brand locally.
“The scheme is easy to take part in and the campaign team helped us behind the scenes, carrying out the burden of the extra admin and supporting us throughout.”
To sign up visit the website and fill in the registration form. You pledge some of your time and skills and Will Aid will do the rest.
For more information about Will Aid visit the website at www.willaid.org.uk
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