Member Article

Durham law firm awarded for Will Aid effort

A law firm in Durham has raised more than £8,000 for charity this year after taking part in a will-writing campaign which asks lawyers to write wills for local people in exchange for a donation.

Swinburne Maddison Solicitors have taken part in the annual Will Aid scheme and raised an impressive £8,240 in the month-long fundraiser. This makes them the highest Will Aid fundraising firm in the North for the second year running.

Taking into account the 13 other years they have participated, the firm has now raised a total of £38,933.

John Davison, a partner from the firm, said: “Our team has thoroughly enjoyed participating in Will Aid and have worked very hard.

“We are happy to donate our time towards Will Aid. It is a great way of generating a link with new clients. We would recommend that other law firms get involved.” Emma Peak from Christian Aid paid the firm a visit to present them with a certificate to thank them for their achievement.

She said: “The team at Swinburne Maddison have really embraced the Will Aid scheme and all their time and hard work will translate into transformed lives for those living in poverty across the world.

“Thanks to the donations from Will Aid we can make a real difference. Just £150 could pay for a pack of medical equipment for doctors and nurses in Kenya to safely deliver babies, while £95 could pay for training and seeds for 50 women in a mother-to-mother support group to help them grow more food for their families.”

Lawyers wrote dozens of wills during the month of November, generously giving their time for free for the whole month.

Will Aid, now in its 29th year, is a charity scheme that raises money for nine charities: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save The Children, Sightsavers, Age UK, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid said: “Will Aid has made an amazing contribution to the work of the nine participating charities and last year was no exception. Thanks to the commitment of local solicitors that took part in this year’s Will Aid, many people both in the UK and abroad will receive life-changing support and local people who used the scheme have the peace of mind thanks to having a professionally drawn up will.

“I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Swinburne Maddison Solicitors and let them know that thanks to them, lives will change for the better and people who need it will continue to receive the help and support that the charities work so hard to provide.

“Solicitors from County Durham raised an incredible amount of money in 2016, but we need more solicitors if we are to satisfy demand. Please sign up and donate their time in 2017. Being part of Will Aid will raise the profile of your firm in your local community and bring new clients to your door, and all whilst supporting nine of the UK’s best loved charities”

Will Aid will run again in November 2017. Solicitors and anyone who wants to make a will can find out more by visiting www.willaid.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Bosnyak .