Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Residents Encouraged to Make a WILL for Charity

1 May 2011

Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People has teamed up with 20 solicitors across the East Midlands to encourage people to get their affairs in order this May, as part of Rainbows’ Make a Will Month.

It is estimated that at least 13,000 people in the East Midlands die every year without having made a will, and thanks to the collaboration, this month people across Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire can create or update a will for just £35 plus VAT, which is more than half the average cost.

Patricia Brookes Director of Fundraising at Rainbows comments: “We’ve been really pleased with the response from local solicitors and how many have chosen to get on board. Once provision has been made for families and friends we hope that those taking part in the scheme will consider using the power of their will to help support Rainbows – every gift will make a real difference to the children and young people who rely on the Hospice and secure Rainbows future for years to come.”

Phillip Harvey, 59 from Shepshed Leicestershire has been highly involved with Rainbows since 2006, when he donated part of his mother’s will to the charity. Last year Phillip updated his will as part of 2010’s Rainbows’ Make a Will Month, he says: “Nobody likes to think about it, but we all know that we’re not going to last forever. Thanks to my mum having a will it took a lot of stress out of what was a really upsetting time, I know she would of wanted me to do something useful with the money so I was really pleased that I could donate part of it to Rainbows.”

Local solicitors Barlows is one of the companies urging people to get involved in Rainbows’ Make a Will month. Barlows Solicitors – based on Berridge St, Leicester – has worked with Rainbows for two years, and is inviting people to make donations to the charity by reducing the costs of their wills for the month of May.

Lisa Bacon, legal executive at Barlows, said: “Usually our wills cost between £80 and £100 each, however during Make a Will month we reduce the cost to just £35 plus VAT when people mention Rainbows or pledge to support the hospice, either with a one-off donation or through their will.

“We’ve passed on many donations to Rainbows, both big and small, and it’s great that we’re able to offer the support to such an amazing place in this way.”

Those making wills at Barlows can choose whether to make an immediate donation or to remember Rainbows in their will by either pledging a set amount or a percentage of their estate. From £100 to £100,000, every single donation received by Rainbows goes towards caring for the children that visit the hospice each and every day.

For further information on Make a Will Month, please contact Rainbows fundraising team on 0800 952 1133 or [email protected].

If you’d like to make a will with Barlows, please contact Lisa Bacon on 0116 251 8295, or to find another local participating solicitor visit www.rainbows.co.uk/get-involved/wills/.