News

Five firms of solicitors kindly agreed to waive their will-writing fee in exchange for donations to East Lancashire Hospice, in support of the charities annual Will Week and for the first time this year,  Houldsworth Solicitors in Whalley and  Clitheroe joined the team and raised an incredible £6,000.

Vivien Cox, the aunt of Amanda Hall - Director of Houldsworth Solicitors, died at the hospice aged 57 last November. Vivien was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February and spent the last three days of her life at the hospice.

Amanda said the team - which includes her cousin and Vivien's daughter Rebecca Cox, who works at the firm as a paralegal - decided to support this year's Will Week in memory of Viv.

Amanda said "Im  absolutely delighted that the Firm has raised an incredible £6,000.00 in their recent make a will week in conjunction with the East Lancs Hospice.'

'I am so pleased with the amount we have raised for such an amazing cause. We had a fantastic response and I would like to thank our probate and wills legal executive Catherine Barrett who worked so hard in getting all the wills prepared and also thank our clients who made a will for such an important local charity. I am sure that my Auntie Viv would have been very proud of the amount we have raised and I'm sure that this money will make a difference.

"Writing a will is something people put out of the mind - but people don't realise how much stress it can cause to their loved ones if you don't have one. People don't want to think about what may happen - but you never know what is around the corner."

East Lancashire Hospice Fundraising Manager Sharon Crymble said, "We hear all the time how important it is to make a Will and make your wishes know, and we are very grateful to the solicitors who give their time freely each year to take part in the hospice Will Week that prompts people to put their affairs in order in this way and also raise funds towards helping us to care for our patients.'

'I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Houldsworth Solicitors for all their hard work and effort in completing 38 Wills and raising an amazing £6000. This is an outstanding amount that really did give the hospice an early Christmas present that will certainly benefit our patients and for that we are extremely thankful.

If you would like to register for next years Will Week, please email sharon.crymble@eastlancshospice.org.ukand mark the subject line 'Will Week'

Photograph: L to R Rebecca Cox and Catherine Barrett of Houldsworth Solicitors