Leading solicitors from across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire are joining forces with Queenscourt Hospice to launch an initiative aimed at encouraging people to make a will, in exchange for a charitable donation.

Queenscourt Hospice’s Make a Will Month scheme will enable members of the public to have their wills professionally drafted in return for a donation that will help the charity to continue providing free, high-quality care for patients with far advanced, progressive and incurable illnesses.

Over half of adults in the UK don’t have a will*, according to recent consumer research, and one of the most common reasons for not having a will drafted is concern about the associated cost. The Queenscourt Hospice scheme, which runs from 1st to 30th April is designed to make will drafting more accessible, whilst providing people with an opportunity to support their local hospice.

In all, 12 solicitor firms are taking part in the scheme and giving up their time for free to provide the will drafting service. The suggested donations are; £90 for a basic will, £135 for a joint will and £40 for an amendment to an existing will.

Last year the initiative raised over £14,000 for Queenscourt Hospice, representing vital funding for the charity, which costs over £400 an hour, 365 days a year to run.

Kate Tipton- Thomas, Head of Income Generation and Communications at Queenscourt Hospice said: “We are enormously grateful to the solicitor firms who are dedicating their time and expertise to help raise funds for our charity. We hope that lots of people will take this opportunity to make a will and benefit from the peace of mind that brings.

We also hope that anyone who chooses to use the service might consider including a gift to Queenscourt Hospice in their will. There’s no obligation, of course, but any gift made in a will to a UK registered charity is tax free and will make a world of difference when it comes to helping Queenscourt Hospice care for those who need us in the future.”

Anyone interested in having a will drafted as part of the Queenscourt Hospice Make a Will Month scheme can find a list of participating firms and their contact details here: https://www.queenscourt.org.uk/index.php/fundraising/events/item/94-make-a-will-month.html

And more information on leaving a gift to Queenscourt Hospice in your Will can be found at: www.queenscourt.org.uk/legacy