John Leech MP calls on solicitors to take part in Will Aid

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Jul 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has urged local solicitors to take part in this year's "Will Aid" campaign.

Solicitors can use their professional skills to help the Will Aid campaign this November.The innovative scheme puts people in touch with a solicitor prepared to make their basic Will for free. All they ask in return is that the Will-maker gives a donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation level is £75 for a single Will, £110 for a pair of wills or £40 for a codicil to an existing Will.

Donations are shared by the nine leading charities involved in the scheme: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, Sight Savers International, SCIAF and Trocaire.Will Aid donations are distributed amongst the participating charities and go a long way to help the widest number of people. For example, they could build a school in Ethiopia, save the sight of a child in India, or care for an elderly person in the UK.

Will Aid is one of the UK's most effective fundraising campaigns. Since the campaign began, solicitors have helped raise almost £6 million in donations. The last Will Aid campaign raised £685,000 in donations from Will-makers to make a real and immediate difference to people in need around the world and £5.2m was pledged in legacies to the Will Aid charities. This will help ensure that their vital work can continue to help future generations. And all of this was achieved in just a few weeks.

John Leech MP said:

"Every adult should have a professionally drawn up Will and should review it regularly as circumstances change. This is the only way of ensuring the financial security of our loved ones. It seems to me that Will Aid is a most effective campaign because it provides the motivation many people need to make their Will and raises vital funds for the charities involved. I would like to encourage more local solicitors to participate."

Solicitors wishing to take part or to find out more about the scheme, should telephone the Campaign Office on 01460 271178, visit the website www.willaid.org.uk or email enquiries@willaid.org.uk.

ENDS