Somerset solicitors raise nearly £5,000 in charity will campaign

Yahoo

07-08-2025

A law firm in Somerset has raised nearly £5,000 through an annual charity will-writing campaign.
Pardoes Solicitors, with offices in Bridgwater, Yeovil and Taunton, raised £4,690 through its participation in the Will Aid campaign, placing it among the top donors in the UK and the third highest in the South West.
The campaign invites solicitors to volunteer their time and expertise to write basic wills, waiving their usual fees and instead encouraging clients to make a voluntary donation to charity.
Bhavani Hogarty, CEO of Pardoes, said: "Taking part in Will Aid is a fantastic opportunity to give back – not only by helping people secure their future with a professionally written will, but also by raising funds for charities that make a real impact.
"Knowing our efforts are helping both our community and those further afield is truly rewarding.
"We are delighted to have played our part in this campaign and to have raised such a significant amount over the years."
Pardoes has supported the Will Aid campaign since 1996, raising a total of £25,835 to date.
Funds raised through Will Aid support a range of partner charities, including Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF and Trócaire.
Lauren Poole, chair of Will Aid, said: "A huge well done to Pardoes for their incredible fundraising efforts.
"It's inspiring to see so many legal professionals come together to make a difference – helping people gain peace of mind with a professionally written will while supporting charities that change lives.
"We're grateful to every solicitor who gives their time to this campaign, and on behalf of our partner charities, I'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Pardoes and all the firms who participate."
Will Aid has raised more than £24m in donations since its launch in 1988, in addition to generating millions more in pledged charitable legacies.
The campaign takes place each November, with the recommended minimum donation is £120 for a basic single will and £200 for a pair of mirror wills.
More information on the campaign is available at willaid.org.uk.
Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director, said: "This year's Will Aid campaign has been another resounding success, thanks to the dedication of firms like Pardoes.
"Their generosity and commitment mean that more people can get the will they need while also supporting crucial charitable work.
"It's wonderful to see such enthusiasm for giving back."