Will Aid

Last updated
Will Aid
Will Aid logo 2017.svg
Founded1988
FounderGraeme Pagan
TypeCharity partnership established by Deed
Location
  • The Print House, 18-22 Aswhin Street, London
Area served
United Kingdom
MethodFor the month of November, participating solicitors waive their fee to write a basic will or a pair of mirror wills. In return, they invite clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid.
Key people
Jonathan Jacques (Chair), Peter de Vena Franks (Campaign Director)
Website willaid.org.uk

Will Aid is a British charity will-writing scheme designed to reinforce the need for everyone to have a professionally drawn-up will and to raise funds for their partner charities. Will Aid was founded in 1988 following the example set by Band Aid and Live Aid and continues to run each November.

Contents

Scheme operation

Will Aid recruits solicitors all over the UK who agree to waive their usual fee for writing basic wills during 'Make a Will Month' in November. [1]

Supported charities

Will Aid is a partnership of nine charities: ActionAid, [2] Age UK, [3] the British Red Cross, [4] Christian Aid, [5] NSPCC, [6] Save the Children, [7] SCIAF, [8] Sightsavers [9] and Trócaire. [10]

Fundraising

Will Aid has raised over £21m since its launch and many tens of million more has been pledged as legacies by people making their Will through the scheme. The 2020 campaign raised over £600k in donations.[ citation needed ]

Will Aid is the largest scheme of its kind in the UK and is a major charitable contribution from the British legal profession. Hundreds solicitors firms take part each year. In the 2020 campaign, over 450 solicitors took part. Since the scheme was launched, participating solicitors have drawn up wills for over 310,000 people.[ citation needed ]

Publicity

Will Aid has received press coverage in the UK in both national and regional press and consumer magazines. [11] [12] [13] [14]

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References

  1. Will Aid
  2. ActionAid
  3. Age UK support Will Aid
  4. British Red Cross
  5. Christian Aid
  6. NSPCC
  7. Save the Children
  8. SCIAF
  9. Sightsavers
  10. Trocaire
  11. Rogerson, Lindsey (2010-09-11),"Slashing the price of leaving a legacy" The Herald
  12. Atherton, Mark (2010-11-06), “Make a will or your loved ones will pay” The Times
  13. Hampshire, Susan (2002-11-13), “A cheap way to make a will” Daily Mirror
  14. (2010-10-31)"Write a cut-price will and support nine charities" The Independent