Law firms and Pendleside announce legacy support

Pendleside Hospice is excited to announce a new, year-round Will-writing service in partnership with four respected local law firms located in Burnley and Pendle: Farnworth Rose, Farnworth Shaw, Southerns Solicitors, and Smith Sutcliffe.

This collaboration enables the hospice to offer an invaluable service that was previously only available in October.

In a National Wills Report from 2023, it found that over half of adults living in the UK don’t have a Will in place, therefore this may be an opportune moment to secure your future while supporting Pendleside through a legacy of care

For many years, Pendleside Hospice has participated in ‘Will's Month’, a campaign held in October, during which individuals can write or update their Will alongside a supporting solicitor.

In return, they are asked to make a donation to the hospice. These donations are a crucial source of funding for Pendleside, allowing the charity to continue providing essential palliative and end-of-life care to patients, service users, and their families and carers.

This year-round extension of the Will-writing service is made possible through the generous support of the four partner firms.

As well as supporting Pendleside with this particular service, Farnworth Rose, Farnworth Shaw, Southerns Solicitors, and Smith Sutcliffe have also supported the hospice with fundraising, including taking part in the Corporate Challenge, as well as providing informative sessions for our service users around Advanced Care Planning.

Anyone in our community, regardless of age, can now take advantage of this offer at any time of the year. Whether you need to write a new Will or update an existing one, these local solicitors are here to help.

Sarah Holdsworth, Pendleside’s In-Memory & Legacy fundraiser, said: "We are deeply indebted to the solicitors who have agreed to take part in our new free Wills service. Our patients and supporters will now be able to write a Will at any point throughout the year.

"The donations we receive through the scheme will make a huge difference to the services we offer, and currently, up to one in five of our patients is cared for, thanks to gifts left in Wills. This initiative plays a huge part in securing the future of the hospice.”

“As life unfolds and we experience significant changes—whether it's a shift in relationships, the arrival of children, health changes, or purchasing a new home—it's important to update your Will to reflect these developments.

"For those writing a Will for the first time, this initiative provides an excellent opportunity to get your affairs in order and ensure your wishes are granted."

“By partnering with our local solicitors, we’re making it easier than ever for people to make these important decisions.

"Once your Will has been drafted or updated with the help of one of the participating firms, the solicitor will ask you to make a donation to Pendleside Hospice in lieu of their usual fee.”

The cost of running Pendleside Hospice is over £6 million a year, with only 20% of that funding coming from government sources.

The remaining 80% is raised through fundraising initiatives such as events, retail sales, donations, the Pendleside lottery, Meals on Wheels, legacy gifts, and more. Legacy donations can vary significantly from year to year, but they play a critical role in Pendleside’s ability to continue delivering high-quality care to the community.

A spokesperson from Smith Sutcliffe Solicitors said: "As a firm, Smith Sutcliffe Solicitors are happy to support Pendleside Hospice’s Will-writing scheme once again this year, continuing our long association with the hospice. It’s a privilege to contribute to an initiative that not only offers practical support to individuals but also provides vital financial support to Pendleside."

Whether you choose to leave a gift to Pendleside or simply make a donation in return for the Will-writing service, your support will directly impact the lives of patients and their families, living in Burnley and Pendle.

If you’re ready to write or update your Will, please contact Sarah Holdsworth at Pendleside Hospice. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling 01282 440 141. The team is there to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Together with the support of the local community and our partner solicitors, we can continue to make a difference. By writing your Will through this initiative, you’re not just securing your future—you’re helping to secure the future of Pendleside Hospice. Visit our website at www.pendleside.org.uk/free-will-service for more information about how to get involved.