Members of the general public across the Royal United Hospital’s catchment area are being urged to plan for the future by making or updating their Wills during September, with local Solicitors donating their Will writing fees to the The Royal United Hospital’s charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

This year, solicitors collectively covering 26 offices across the region have teamed up with The Forever Friends Appeal to support its annual ‘RUH Will Month’ initiative, which runs throughout September.

Thatcher + Hallam LLP and FDC Law solicitors are two of the firms based in

Midsomer Norton to once again kindly come on board and support the Appeal.

To help raise as much money as possible during September, the participating solicitors will prepare and draw up a single standard Will at a specially reduced

fee of £100 or two standard Mirror Wills for £150. The fee will be donated directly to the charity to help the RUH continue to provide the high quality care for all its patients treated and cared for across the Trust.

The client will also be able to request that the fee is donated to a specific area of the hospital, which may have a special meaning to them, their family or friends.

Making a Will is one of the most thoughtful and important things you can do to protect those you love; yet it is surprising that the Wills of fewer than half of the

population are up-to-date. Having a Will prepared professionally can also help avoid any confusion over your intentions and ensures your estate and possessions can be distributed as you wish. Whatever your age, making a Will ensures that your assets (house, savings, business etc), are distributed to the people and causes in accordance with your instructions. It will also make it a lot easier and quicker for your executors and beneficiaries to administer your estate.

Laura Ablett, Solicitor for Thatcher + Hallam LLP comments: “We are very pleased to support the RUH Will Month initiative for the second year running. The

Forever Friends Appeal is an amazing charity and this wonderful scheme will not only provide the local community the opportunity to have a professional Will drawn up at an affordable cost, but we will be raising money for a very worthy cause that can really benefit from donations. I am sure the RUH has helped many of our clients, family and friends during their time of need. We hope that many local people will take advantage of this scheme and book an appointment very soon.”

Jan Witt, In Memory and Legacy Officer, The Forever Friends Appeal, says,

“The scheme was extremely successful last year, raising a fantastic £33,000 towards the care and treatment of our patients across all areas of the hospital. We hope that this important Will Writing scheme will continue to go from strength to strength and the general public will come on board and give the same fantastic support again.

Appointments with the solicitors can be booked from now for September. Details of participating solicitors can be found at www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk or for an information leaflet, please contact Jan Witt on: 01225 825819 or email: [email protected]