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WILLOW BURN HOSPICE MAKE A WILL MONTH - MARCH 2012

Press Release

Thursday 23 February 2012

Make a Will Month Solicitors support Willow Burn Hospice

SOLICITORS from across the North East are once again demonstrating their support for Willow Burn Hospice by helping people in the region prepare for their future wishes.

Throughout March, solicitors from across County Durham will be proving where there’s a Will there’s a way when it comes to raising money – and helping Willow Burn Hospice raise money to provide palliative care for adults who have a life-limiting illness. The North West Durham charity is also raising £5.7million to build its new hospice at its current site – the former Maiden Law Hospital.

It is the third year that the North West Durham charity has run the scheme.

Around two-thirds of people do not have Wills, which means the laws of intestacy decide who inherits their estate. That decision may not necessarily be what they expect or would have chosen, and it is only by writing a Will that an individual can be sure that their wishes will be carried out and their loved ones provided for.

Instead of charging clients for preparing simple Wills, solicitors from BHP Law; Bennett Richmond; Nicholson, Martin, Legge & Miller; and Swinburne Snowball & Jackson, will waive their fees in return for a donation to Willow Burn Hospice in Lanchester.

“Last year’s event proved very successful, with many solicitors giving up their valuable time and waiving fees to raise almost £2,000 – an increase on 2010’s support which is incredible,” explained Clare Chillingworth, Grants and Legacy Fundraiser for Willow Burn Hospice. “Weare delighted that they have all agreed to take part again this year and by waiving their fees they and their clients are helping us to continue our work across Derwentside.

"Once you have made a Will do not just forget about it,” urged Helen Biglin, Partner and Head of the Wills, Trust and Probate team at BHP Law, one of the solicitors’ firms supporting Willow Burn Hospice.

“It is important to remember that your personal circumstances change and so does the law. For these reasons you need to keep your Will under review. In normal circumstances we would advise that a Will should be reviewed every three years.”

Supporting Willow Burn by taking part in Make a Will Month is not the only way individuals can help the North West Durham charity make a difference by providing care, comfort and compassion for communities. People can also take the opportunity to include a gift in their Will to a charity or cause that they have supported during their lifetime. Gifts in Wills are a very important source of income for Willow Burn Hospice, which receives just 39 per cent of its funding from government sources.  The remaining funds must be raised through a range of voluntary income, with a daily fundraising target of £2,479.

“Without the generosity of others and fundraising activities, we couldn’t continue to treasure the lives of everyone who we helpand wouldn’t be able to provide the care and palliative support services we do,” added Clare.

All money raised will help Willow Burn Hospice continue the free palliative support it provides to improve the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illness while supporting families and carers. For further details on how the scheme works and how to make an appointment, please go to Willow Burn Hospice’swebsite at www.willow-burn.co.uk/fundraising/legacy or contact Clare Chillingworth at Willow Burn Hospice on 07961 627492 or via email tocchillingworth@willowburnhospice.org.uk.