Ronald Forbes

The north-east firm has taken part in the annual charity will-writing campaign since 2000, raising a grand total of £28,906 to date, including £6,170 this year.

Firms participating in Will Aid volunteer their time and expertise to write wills and, instead of charging their usual fees for writing basic wills, invite clients to make a donation to Will Aid, which is shared between the campaign’s partner charities.

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

The partner charities for Will Aid 2024 are Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trócaire (Northern Ireland).

Ronald Forbes, from Smith Solicitors Stonehaven, said: “The entire team is very proud to take part in Will Aid and we’re delighted to have given so many people the reassurance of knowing they have a professionally written will.

“We love taking part in the campaign and to raise so much for charity was a real team effort.

“It’s a brilliant feeling to know that such well-deserving charities will benefit, helping people both here in the UK and abroad who are facing challenging times.”

The generosity of solicitors who have taken part in Will Aid since it launched in 1988 has helped raise more than £24 million for charity in donations alone, with many millions more in pledged charitable legacies.

Jonathan Chase, chair of Will Aid, said: “Huge congratulations to the team at Smith Solicitors Stonehaven for raising such a staggering amount this year.

“It’s amazing that so many solicitors give their time to volunteer so generously, using their expertise to help people gain peace of mind by getting a professionally written will while fundraising for our incredible charities who do such crucial and life-changing work in the UK and around the world.

“On behalf of all the partner charities, a massive thank you and well done to Smith Solicitors Stonehaven and all the firms who have taken part this year!”

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid’s campaign director, added: “What a great team effort from everyone who has taken part in this year’s Will Aid campaign. Thank you to everyone who has harnessed their expertise and generosity to give their time, helping to protect people’s wishes and also supporting such worthwhile partner charities who are changing lives for the better.”