News Release

Will Aid Goes Annual

The Will Aid campaign has been running successfully for twenty years on a biennial basis. But as a result of demand from the public and solicitors the campaign will now run every November. This provides the opportunity for more solicitors who want the chance to do something really worthwhile and boost business to join Will Aid.

Will Aid is the UK’s most successful UK-wide charity Will scheme and attracts new clients to solicitors’ offices by offering a no fee Will-writing service in return for the client’s donation to the nine Will Aid charities. These charities work all over the World, helping people to improve their lives, their communities and build a brighter future.

Shirley Marsland of Will Aid explains:

“We need more caring and generous solicitors from all over the UK to join us for our 2008 campaign. Every Will Aid produces a wealth of enquiries from people wanting to make their Will; our aim is to ensure that every one of these people has access to a local participating solicitor.

Running the campaign every year will ensure that people come to know November as the month to put their affairs in order with Will Aid. Taking part can be quite painless as solicitors are free to choose the number of Wills drafted under the scheme and organise the timing of the work to suit their needs. The Will Aid publicity team generates a huge amount of publicity for participating solicitors so taking part could even save money on marketing to attract new clients.”

Since Will Aid started in 1988, the scheme has persuaded around 120,000 clients into solicitor’s offices to write their Will - many for the first time. These clients are likely to recommend their Will Aid solicitor to friends and to choose their Will Aid solicitor for their future legal needs. The campaign has also raised nearly £7 million in donations which have improved the lives of thousands of people around the world. Tens of millions more have also been pledged in legacies to the Will Aid charities, helping to ensure that their vital work can continue to help future generations.

Feedback from participating solicitors demonstrates that Will Aid is indeed good for business.

Hard work – but definitely worth it!

Gould & Swayne are one of the longest established solicitors' practices in central Somerset. Jill Sinclair led the small team responsible for raising £5,535 for Will Aid 2006 – four times the amount they raised in the previous campaign. 

Jill says “We are delighted that we have been able to raise so much for the Will Aid charities – its hard work for the three of us involved, but we enjoy doing it.”

Jill put down her success to the big response from local press coverage.  “We received a lot of enquiries from the public and for some this was their first contact with a solicitor. Some even expressed surprise that solicitors were involved in such a worthwhile scheme!”

Jill feels the local press coverage was positive for the firm introducing new clients and making solicitors appear more approachable.  “If there is follow up work with the Will Aid clients, that’s a bonus, but our main motivation is to give people the opportunity to make their Will and to support the valuable work of the Will Aid charities. It seems to have worked because many clients have been very generous.

Will Aid has been a very worthwhile experience and we will definitely be participating again this November”.

Will Aid depends on the goodwill and participation of solicitors who want to make a positive difference to the lives of those in need. To find out more, visit www.willaid.org.uk. To take part, either register on-line, email shirley@willaid.org.uk or phone the Campaign Office on 01460 271178.