Vincents Solicitors signs up to Wills Week

Lawyers from Lancashire’s Vincents Solicitors will be giving their time for free once again to help raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice.

Vincents is one of six local law firms which has so far signed up to Wills Week this November.

Members of the public wanting to make or update their will can meet with a solicitor to complete the legal document in return for a donation to the Lostock Hall hospice. Vincents will be offering appointments from each of its high street offices in Preston, Penwortham, Longridge, Garstang and Lytham.

It is hoped the initiative will help St Catherine’s to raise around £7,500 from direct donations and that people might also consider leaving a gift to the charity in their will. The hospice costs £5m every year to run, with only £1.3m provided by the NHS, the rest must be made up with charitable donations.

Lynne Whittaker, senior fundraiser at St Catherine’s Hospice, said: “Wills Week is an initiative that not only aims to raise money for the hospice through donations but also to raise awareness of the vital work that St Catherine's does, to encourage people to get their affairs in order at a time when all is well, and to consider any gift they might like to leave.

“On average, the specialised care of one in six of our patients is funded by gifts in wills, showing just how important legacy donations are to the hospice. Wills Week also helps bring the charity to the attention of the wider community and we are very grateful to the solicitors who take part, using their skills and expertise to support St Catherine's."

This will be the third time Penwortham office of Vincents has taken part, having raised more than £2,500 in the last two years with 28 wills completed. Extending the scheme to include another four offices should serve boost this year’s total and increase awareness of the Hospice’s work among the firm’s private and corporate clients.

Chris Mathews, head of private client services at Vincents Solicitors, said: “St Catherine’s Hospice is an incredible place doing amazing work for patients and their families, and has long been a charity we have championed. Wills Week is a great opportunity for our team to come together in support of the cause and use their professional skills to help raise much-needed funds.

“We have a longstanding relationship with St Catherine’s, as Vincents provides the charity with advice on property and compliance issues, and the Penwortham office has been particularly proactive in getting involved with fundraisers. Now we’re extending that across our other offices which should hopefully mean we can raise more money than ever and spread the word more broadly among our clients.” St Catherine’s Hospice Wills Week takes place November 10 to 16. Donations recommended by the charity, to reflect the average equivalent cost of the service are, £75 for a new will or £30 to make a change.