Francis House Children’s Hospice and legal firms across Greater Manchester have joined forces to launch the “Make a Will Month” campaign. The month-long initiative, set to run from September 1st to September 30th, aims to encourage members of the public to make or amend their wills while also supporting the important work of Francis House.
Participating solicitors have generously agreed to donate their time and expertise to create a simple will or make amendments to an existing one in exchange for a suggested donation of £100 for individuals or £175 for couples or partners. This represents a significant savings compared to the standard fees for these services.
Louise Salisbury, Head of Wills, Probate, and Trusts at AST Hampsons Solicitors in Bury, expressed her support for the campaign, stating: “We at AST Hampsons are proud to collaborate with Francis House in their ‘Make a Will’ campaign. Together, we can make a meaningful difference and help fund essential care and support for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions. By donating to the Hospice instead of paying for a basic Will, families can receive the comfort and assistance they need during a difficult time.”
Based in Didsbury, Francis House Children’s Hospice provides vital services to over 600 families from across Greater Manchester, including respite care, homecare, sibling support, end-of-life care, and bereavement support for children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
Susie Poppitt, representing Francis House, emphasizes the importance of having a Will in place for the sake of loved ones, stating: “None of us wants to consider our own mortality, but it’s crucial to ensure that our loved ones are properly provided for under the terms of a Will. Having a Will in place makes things as easy as possible for them during such an emotionally challenging time.”
She adds, “As well as making provision for the future of your loved ones, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you’ll be making a real difference to families throughout the region whose children are cared for by Francis House.”
In addition to securing the future of loved ones, making a Will also presents an opportunity to support Francis House by leaving a legacy gift. This can potentially reduce or avoid Inheritance Tax, especially for homeowners, as property prices continue to rise.
Several participating solicitors, including Glaisyers ETL in Manchester, O’Donnell Solicitors in Uppermill, Bromleys in Ashton Under Lyne, AST Hampsons in Bury, and Wrigley Claydon in Oldham, will provide their services and expertise free of charge during the month of September. Instead, they ask for a donation to Francis House Children’s Hospice.
To learn more about the participating solicitors and to book an appointment, visit www.francishouse.org.uk/will-month.
