Your family’s future is in your hands – and by simply making a small charitable donation to participating solicitors, you can protect them by writing your Will this November

 

WITH almost 60% of the population without a will, Scots are being urged to get their affairs in order this November as part of a charity scheme.

It’s after a survey commissioned by Will Aid found 57% of adults in Scotland still do not have a will in place, even after the pandemic highlighted how fragile life can be.

The amount of people without a will is considerably higher than the UK-wide picture, where 49% of people revealed they do not have the important document in place.

Will Aid takes place every November and provides the public with a perfect opportunity to ensure their wishes are protected in the event of their death, while supporting the life-changing work of the campaign’s nine partner charities.

People can access their local participating solicitors who waive their fees for writing a basic will and instead ask them to make an upfront donation to Will Aid.

Glasgow Times:

Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, said: “If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that life is precious. 

“Unfortunately, many people still do not have a will in place. Therefore, their wishes will not necessarily be met in the event of their death, and their estate might not be shared how they would like.

“Not only does having this important document help protect your final wishes, but it also makes things easier for the people you leave behind knowing exactly what you would like. 

“I strongly encourage people to take opportunity to get a will during Will Aid month.”
The same survey revealed 36% of Scottish parents have not named a guardian for their children in their will. That means, if they both died, the courts would then decide who would look after their children until they are 18.

Those who already have a will can update theirs during Will Aid month and take comfort in knowing they are supporting a great cause with their donations.

Mr de Vena Franks continued: “Every penny raised during Will Aid is shared between our nine partner charities.

“Like most organisations, the pandemic has led to a significant decrease in their finances, but their workload has only increased.

“By taking part and donating to Will Aid, you will be helping nine charities continue to change the lives of those they support.”

The suggested donation is £100 for a basic single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills.
Will Aid’s nine partner charities are: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers and Trocaire. 

To find a Will Aid solicitor near you and book an appointment for November before they run out, visit www.willaid.org.uk

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Where there’s a Will, there’s a way to make a better world


With a gift to SCIAF in your will, you can leave a lasting legacy to help the world’s poorest people. Your faith in a fairer world will live on.  

While we don’t know exactly what the future will hold, you can know that your donation to SCIAF will continue to help people meet the challenges of the future. Challenges like extreme weather and humanitarian crises.  

Glasgow Times:

A gift in your will to SCIAF is a sign of your faith in the future. And by working together, a safer, greener and more just world for all can be created.

Some years, as much as 20% of the money SCIAF spends on their work comes from donations in Wills.

They are incredibly grateful for the donations we receive, which assist in everything from  helping with children’s education to protecting communities from the damage of climate change. Every donation ensures SCIAF can help those in need.  

Every November, participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic Will and instead invite their clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. SCIAF is one of the charities involved in this special partnership.  

Alongside taking care of your loved ones, a gift to SCIAF can help those in need around the world.  

One SCIAF supporter said: “Obviously there are big moments in your life when writing a will makes sense and when my wife and I recently moved house we updated our will. While buying the house I couldn’t help but think of those around the world who have had to flee from their homes in times of crisis and war.

“ That’s why we left a gift in our will to SCIAF.” 
 

To find out more information about leaving a gift in your will, please visit sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/leave-a-legacy or feel free to call us on 0141 354 5555 for a friendly chat. Any questions you may have will all be anwered.

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‘Family solicitors for generations’ sign up to Will Aid

MILLEN Solicitors in Glasgow is aiming to raise vital funds for nine of the UK’s best loved charities, after signing up for Will Aid, the annual charity Will-writing campaign. 

Millen Solicitors has signed up to the scheme, which runs throughout November– for the 12th year in a row. 

Glasgow Times:

Millen Solicitors is a small firm, offering bespoke expert advice in areas of family law, wills and estates, powers of attorney and guardianship orders. 

The firm, whose motto is “Family Solicitors for Generations” has raised £7587 for the nine charities involved since it joined the scheme in 2010, and already, the level of enquiries has the team optimistic of a huge increase in donations.

The firm’s founder, Julie Millen said: “We are very excited to be involved again in the Will Aid campaign this year.  Having supported the campaign since our firm was established in 2010, this year looks to be one of our busiest yet.

Glasgow Times:

“It gives us an excellent opportunity to reach people in our community who do not have a Will or need their Will updating, to help them protect their loved ones for the future.

“It also means we can continue to raise funds for nine incredible charities which make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of vulnerable people both here in the UK and around the world.”

The Will Aid scheme takes place across the country throughout the month of November and supports ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland). Participating solicitors have raised more than £21 million for the Will Aid charities since it launched 33 years ago. 

Campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “One in three people in the UK die without making a Will, leaving confusion and chaos behind along with the sadness of losing a loved one. Will Aid encourages people to prepare this vital piece of paperwork, while at the same time making a difference by raising money for charity.”

“We are thrilled that Millen Solicitors has joined this year’s campaign. They have contributed a great deal to our fundraising efforts in the past and I know they will continue to work with us in future. 

The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will is £100 for a single Will and £180 for a pair of basic mirror Wills. Donations support the vital work of the nine partner charities. 
 

www.millensolicitors.co.uk