Half of Britons have no will it's revealed, as Will Aid launches its 2016 campaign

Amy Russell (Action Aid), Pumulo Banda (Save the Children), Peter de Vena Franks (Will Aid), Alison Linwood (Christian Aid), Jenny Newbold (Save the Children)

Half of Britons have not made a will, meaning they have no say in who their assets will be passed on to when they die, new figures have revealed.

The statistics have been compiled as part of a poll by charitable initiative Will Aid, to tie in with the launch of the organisation’s 2016 publicity drive My Last Words.

It found that while young people are the least likely to have made a will, an incredible 19% of people aged 55 and over haven’t either. It also discovered that 35% of people with no will have dependent children and therefore have not assigned guardians for them.

Will Aid Month, which takes place every November, encourages people to complete this vital piece of paperwork and tick it off the to-do list – as well as offering them a chance to raise much needed funds for charity.

Will Aid partners with law firms who pledge their time to write basic wills, with clients invited to donate the fee to nine charities supported by Will Aid instead.

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director, said: “A will tells your loved ones who should have your money, property and possessions when you die and who will be in charge of following your instructions - your executor.

“Without this information, the law decides how your estate is passed on – and this may not be in line with your wishes.

“Will Aid makes it easy for you to get a professional will drawn up with a solicitor as well as the opportunity to help nine fantastic charities who work with vulnerable people all over the world.”

The recommended donation for your basic Will Aid will is £95 for a single will and £150 for a pair of mirror wills.

Those who wish to make a will can make their November appointments from:

Latimer Lee LLP
Address: 59 York St, Heywood, Greater Manchester, OL10 4NR
Telephone: 0161 765 2465
Contact name: Mrs Kirsty Higson

Isherwood & Hose
Address: 6 Market Street, Heywood, Greater Manchester, OL10 4NB
Telephone: 01706 360032 / 368741
Contact name: Ms Moira Mclachlan

Molesworths Bright Clegg
Address: Octagon House, 25-27 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1RH
Telephone: 01706 767414
Contact name: Mrs Kerry Hargreaves

GLP Solicitors
Address: 20A Lakeland Ct, Middleton, Lancashire, M24 5QJ
Telephone: 0161 653 6295
Contact name: Mr D H Foster

Moira Mclachlan from Isherwood and Hose said: “Isherwood and Hose is taking part in the Will Aid scheme which we also did very successfully last year. It is a good way of raising funds for charity with people benefiting by completing their wills and making a donation to charity. Isherwood and Hose are happy to support this initiative and contribute to the scheme by donating their fees for the preparation of the wills and also assisting their clients whilst benefiting others.”

Kerry Hargreaves from Molesworths Bright Clegg said: “Molesworths is always happy to join in with the community with fundraising events including Will Aid where each November we waive our legal fees so donations can be made to them. If anyone would like to make an appointment in November then they can contact our Practice Manager, Kerry Hargreaves, after 17 October to reserve one of the allocated slots.”

Ed Worrall from Latimer Lee said: "We are taking part in Will Aid to help highlight the fact that all people should make wills to ensure their wishes are carried out. Also that charitable giving in wills is an important way for many charities to raise funds. Will Aid helps bring both these issues to a wide range of people and gives them the opportunity to take action."

Last year Will Aid raised more than £1 million for its charity partners – ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

The campaign has raised more than £17 million in donations since it started.