QualitySolicitors And Barnardo's Reflect On a Successful Will Month 2016

Tuesday 15th November 2016

Children’s charity commemorated its 150th anniversary by partnering with network of high street law firms to offer free advice to the over 55’s

QualitySolicitors, the UK’s leading network of high street law firms and the children’s charity Barnardo’s are reflecting on another successful partnership as they announce the success of Will Month 2016.

Throughout October, QualitySolicitors provided free sessions all over the country to anyone aged over 55 who had questions around the process of drawing up a Will.  The partnership was designed to break the taboo that exists around Wills, with QualtiySolicitors customer research showing that 70% of UK adults aged over 50 don’t currently possess a valid Will.

In order to maximise the amount of people helped through the scheme, and to encourage friendly competition between the firms nationwide, Barnardo’s created a leaderboard charting how many people were helped during Will Month in October. QS Large & Gibson, based in Portsmouth, Hampshire showed great enthusiasm towards the initiative and finished in first place.

As QualitySolicitors’ official charity partner since 2010, it was hoped that those taking advantage of the free legal expertise might consider leaving a legacy donation to Barnardo’s. The scheme was a great success during October, with nearly 90 people aged over 55 creating a Will for the first time, with over 70% deciding to include a legacy donation to Barnardo’s.

To say thank you, Barnardo’s will be inviting employees from Large & Gibson to the charity’s Carol Concert at Westminster Cathedral on the 1st of December, as well as taking them out for a meal. Previous winners QS John Donkin of Gateshead came in second place, with QS Brennans of Wallsend taking third ensuring a strong showing from firms based in the North East.

Nick Howitt, Network Director of QualitySolicitors said; “It’s great to see Will Month 2016 replicating the success of previous years. We hope that our sessions have helped highlight the importance of having an up-to-date Will and encouraged more people to get their affairs in order.

“We’d like to thank all of the firms who took part. Their enthusiasm and hard work has not only benefitted those who took advantage of Will Month 2016 but also ensured a number of legacy grants for Barnardo’s, which will go a long way in helping the charity to continue to do the invaluable work it has done for the last 150 years.”

Dylan Carroll, Senior Relationships Manager at Barnardo’s said; “

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, Barnardo’s works with more than 240,000 children, young people and their families each year and runs 960 essential services annually, all focused on the care of young people across the UK.

Since 2010, a number of QualitySolicitors firms have also undertaken physical tasks and challenges to raise money and awareness for Barnardo’s. Just this summer, Frank Lissimore a managing partner from Crystal Palace, dubbed the ‘biking barrister, travelled the length and breadth of England on his motorbike in five days, raising over £9,000 for Barnardo’s. Similarly, a team from QualitySolicitors Lawrence Hamblin, based in Reading, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro this July and raised £3,300 for Barnardo’s in the process.

About QualitySolicitors:

• Launched in 2010, QualitySolicitors is a group of law firms across the country working as part of the QualitySolicitors brand. Only one firm per local area is selected to become a QualitySolicitors partner. Customer feedback forms an integral part of the selection process.
• QualitySolicitors’ national network of lawyers consists of over 100 branches across England and Wales.
• QualitySolicitors lawyers are experts in their fields dealing with both consumer and SME legal matters. QualitySolicitors offers a personal, local service but with the assurance of a recognised national brand.
• QualitySolicitors’ website address is www.qualitysolicitors.com
• In 2011 QualitySolicitors secured equity investment from Palamon Capital Partners, a private equity house with a £700m fund.