Actor, writer and theatre director Simon Callow has praised the 14 solicitor firms who waived their Will writing fees and donated collectively over £30,000 to the RUH’s charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.
The amount was generated from participation in the charity’s RUH Will Month campaign which Simon helped launch last year.
Simon Callow said: “What a terrific result. It’s so important for all of us to have an up-to-date Will. Well done to all those solicitors who gave their services free-of-charge and to the people who signed up to RUH Will Month.
“The money raised will make a real difference to the care of patients across all wards and departments.”
The fourteen solicitor firms, seven of which are based in Bath, drew up professional Wills for the public at a reduced rate – £100 for a single standard Will and £150 for a standard Mirror Will or Joint Will.
Jan Witt, In Memory and Legacy Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal said: “I’m so grateful to Bath Wills, BLB, Burningham and Brown, Helen Starkie, Mowbray Woodwards, Mogers Drewett and Royds Withy King who participated in RUH Will Month 2019.
“By waiving their fees and passing them on to The Forever Friends Appeal, they have provided vital funds for a number of our appeals, including the refurbishment of the Breast Unit, to which it contributed £13,200.
“Thank you also to those members of the public who took part to make 2019 another really successful year.”
Dr Clare Marchand, RUH Respiratory Consultant, who signed up to the scheme said: “My husband and I had been meaning to sort out our Will for a while, as we knew how important it was to do, and taking part in the RUH Will Month finally made it happen!
“We feel much more reassured now we have a Will and we think the RUH Will Month is a fantastic idea and would very much recommend it to others who do not have a Will or their existing one needs updating.”
RUH Will Month will return for its sixth year in September 2020.
More details can be found at www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk/make-a-will-month.