Law firm's charity drive hits ten years

SMR Solicitors is one of 100 firms across the UK to reach the milestone – between them clocking up 1,000 years of fundraising for Will Aid and raising a combined total of more than £1.5 million.

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and nine of the UK’s best-loved charities. Every November, participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic Will and instead invite their clients to make a donation to Will Aid.

Greg Woods, a director at SMR Solicitors said: “We are very proud of our team for giving up their time and using their skills for one month every single year for the last 10 years.



“Will Aid is a superb initiative which targets the many Britons without a will as well as helping raise money for some of the most vulnerable people in society.



“This year we hope to add even more to the pot.”

Will Aid has raised more than £17 million for charity since it launched more than 25 years ago.

Campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “Will Aid is a wonderful opportunity to not just make a will, but do it with the help of a professional with the added bonus of helping nine charities in the UK at the same time.

“We are hoping that 2016 is going to be a great year for the Will Aid charities and are thrilled that we have so many law firms who have shown dedication to the campaign.

“Marking 10 years with Will Aid is a huge achievement and we are extremely grateful to those firms who have shown such commitment.”

Will Aid Month takes place in November when law firms across the county will pledge a portion of their time to write basic wills, with clients donating their fee.

The recommended donation for a basic Will Aid will is £95 for a single will and £150 for a pair of mirror wills.

The nine charities that benefit from the scheme are: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

More information can be found at: www.willaid.org.uk.