Manchester solicitors are teaming up with Francis House Children’s Hospice this September to offer free Will writing services in exchange for donations to the charity.
Throughout the month, participating legal firms in Greater Manchester will be offering their time and expertise to draw up simple Wills or amend existing ones in return for a suggested donation of £100 for an individual or £175 for a double Will for married couples or partners. This presents a significant discount from the standard fees for these services.
The initiative, known as ‘Make a Will Month,’ is aimed at encouraging individuals to consider leaving a legacy gift to Francis House in their Wills. This will help ensure that the hospice can continue providing essential care to families of children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in the years to come.
Located in Didsbury, Francis House offers a range of services including respite care, homecare, sibling support, and bereavement support. The hospice also has special “Rainbow Rooms” that provide families with a peaceful space to spend time with their child after death and before the funeral. Families are fully supported by the hospice team throughout their stay.
Susie Poppitt, representative of Francis House, explains the importance of the campaign: “By making a Will through one of our participating solicitors in September, not only will you be securing your family’s future, but you will also be supporting your local children’s hospice. Many people are unaware that significant changes in family circumstances, such as moving house, starting a family, or getting married, provide an ideal opportunity to make a Will.”
Poppitt also emphasizes the impact of legacy gifts in Wills: “Leaving a legacy gift in a Will is a meaningful way to support our children’s hospice. We rely heavily on donations in the form of legacies, and any gift you choose to make will be treasured by everyone at Francis House. We are grateful to the participating firms for offering their expertise in support of this scheme.”
Several solicitors, including Glaisyers ETL in Manchester, Hargreaves Gilman in Didsbury, Bromleys in Ashton Under Lyne, AST Hampsons in Bury, and Wrigley Claydon in Oldham, have pledged to participate in the scheme and provide their services without charge during the month of September. Instead, they will ask for donations to Francis House.
Chris Burrows, Head of Private Client Services at Glaisyers, expresses his support for the campaign: “Supporting Francis House through Make a Will Month allows us to make a meaningful difference to families facing incredibly difficult circumstances. By offering our expertise, we hope to encourage more people to consider making or updating their Will while also helping to secure the future of such an essential charity. A legacy gift, no matter the size, can have a lasting impact, and we are proud to play a part in that.”
Since the launch of the appeal in 2023, over 40 people have taken part in Make a Will Month and raised £6,000 in donations for the hospice, instead of paying fees.
Rita and Peter Hovington are among those who have taken advantage of the scheme. Rita shares her experience: “People often shy away from making a Will, but it can help those left behind to feel safe in the knowledge that your wishes are expressed. It also gives you peace of mind that your family will benefit when anything happens to you. The service we received through the Francis House ‘Make a Will’ scheme was excellent, and everything was put down plainly and clearly with understanding from the solicitor. We also believe that Francis House is a worthy cause and were happy to support them with a donation.”
The Francis House ‘Make a Will Month’ scheme will run from September 1st to September 30th. To learn more about the legal firms participating and to book an appointment, visit www.francishouse.org.uk/will-month.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.