LAW firms across the Keighley area are gearing-up for an annual charity fundraising campaign.

The Will Aid initiative, which was supported last year by several companies in the district, will take place again in November.

As part of the venture, solicitors waive their normal fees for writing a basic will and instead invite clients to make a voluntary donation.

The suggested donation is £100 for a single will or £180 for a pair of mirror wills.

Proceeds are split between nine charities – ActionAid, Age UK, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, the NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Last year, over £1 million was raised.

As the countdown begins to this year’s campaign, a survey has shown that the number of people in the region without a will has increased.

In 2017, 43 per cent of respondents in Yorkshire said they hadn’t made a will.

That figure has now risen to 51 per cent, making the region the sixth-worst performer in the UK.

Across the country as a whole, half of adults don’t have a will.

Will Aid campaign director, Peter de Vena Franks, says: “Every year we carry out a poll to gauge how many Britons have no will in place and the figures are always surprising.

“To see that the percentage of people without a will increased this year is all the more reason to stress the importance of taking the time to make one.”

The campaign chairman, Jon Jacques, stressed it was also important for people who do have a will to keep it up to date.

“Many of us make a will but then forget to update it in the event of a change in our circumstances,” he said.

“Events such as becoming a parent or grandparent, losing a partner, getting divorced or separated, inheriting assets or getting married are all things that we should update our wills to reflect.

“Failure to update changes in your circumstances can mean the loved ones you leave behind are financially unprotected.”

For more details and to arrange an appointment with a participating solicitor for November, visit willaid.org.uk or call 0300 0309 558.