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Another Successful Make a Will Month for St Gemma’s Hospice

Monika Volsing Monika Volsing
Emily Spencer Emily Spencer
4 min read

Make a Will Month 2025

This year our Private Client team took part in Make a Will Month in support of St Gemma’s Hospice, a charity that means a great deal to our staff and to so many families across Leeds. This year’s campaign has been one of the most successful yet, not just for the hospice, but for the community it serves.

To discuss writing a Will call 0113 320 5000

We believe that Will writing is more than a legal process. It’s a chance for people to protect their loved ones, find peace of mind and, in the case of campaigns like this one, make a meaningful difference to local people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We’re proud to announce that the 2025 campaign exceeded expectations and allowed us to play a small but important part in supporting St Gemma’s vital work.

What We Raised Together

St Gemma’s operates Make a Will Month differently from many charity schemes. Instead of requesting a fixed payment, they invite clients to make a suggested donation in return for professionally drafted Wills. This approach not only encourages people to give what they can but also enables the charity to reclaim Gift Aid. This increases each donation by up to 25% where eligible.

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Based on the number of Wills completed by our team, we raised we raised around £2,900 for St Gemma’s (if all participants made the full suggested donation) and that’s without Gift Aid! These figures reflect the generosity of our clients and the dedication of our team.

The campaign as a whole has been a huge success. According to St Gemma’s:

  • Over £17,000 has already been donated through Make a Will Month
  • An additional £3,000 was claimed through Gift Aid
  • The current total exceeds £19,900, with more donations still being processed

This means that, collectively, local solicitors and supporters have made a significant impact. Support like this allows St Gemma’s to continue providing specialist care and emotional support to people living with life-limiting illnesses.

Why We Support Make a Will Month

St Gemma’s Hospice has been a cornerstone of care in Leeds for decades, offering free, high-quality support to patients and families. Their team delivers care with kindness, empathy and dignity, all values that deeply align with our own.

For us, taking part in Make a Will Month isn’t just about fundraising. It’s about encouraging people to complete an important legal document they may have been putting off, as well as making professional Will-writing accessible to the community. We love helping clients achieve peace of mind while supporting a local cause. It strengthens our relationship with an organisation that does vital work in our community.

Our Private Client solicitors volunteered their time, skills and expertise free of charge throughout October. We are incredibly proud of their commitment and the care they put into each appointment.

A Heartfelt Thank You from St Gemma’s

The team received a warm message of thanks from St Gemma’s, expressing their appreciation for the campaign’s success and the collective effort behind it. They highlighted how invaluable the support of firms like ours is to the hospice’s mission. The whole ethos of the charity is to help local people with a terminal diagnosis make the most of the time they have left with loved ones.

Their message also reinforces just how meaningful this fundraiser is. Every Will written, every conversation held, and every donation made will support frontline hospice care delivered with sensitivity and warmth.

We would like to echo their gratitude to everyone who donated. Whether people contributed the suggested amount or went above and beyond (as many did), their generosity helps ensure St Gemma’s can continue offering exceptional care to those who need it most.

Supporting Your Future Planning, All Year Round

Make a Will Month may only take place in October but our commitment to helping people protect their loved ones is year-round.

Whether you need a first Will, want to update an existing one, or need advice on Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts, probate, inheritance tax planning, or Court of Protection applications, our Private Client team is here to support you with clarity, compassion and expert guidance.

If you missed Make a Will Month, you don’t need to wait until next year. We’re always happy to help you get your affairs in order at a time that suits you.

Message the team at wills&probate@winstonsolicitors.co.uk

Client feedback

Recently I have used the services of Winston Solicitors to deal with my wife's estate and to update my will. In both cases everything was explained in straightforward language and so was easy to understand. Things were dealt with promptly and I was always kept informed of progress. The friendly approach of members of the team made a difficult situation much easier to deal with. My family will certainly seek the services of Winstons when required in the future.
David
We are very grateful to Emily and all at Winston Solictors who have gone above and beyond and been so helpful and professional. All queries were responded to quickly and it really felt llike a personal service, tailored to me. We are extremely grateful to them for everything.
Katherine
Emily SPENCER gave me a helpful and timely and efficient update of my will, problem free.
David
The work was done in a timely & professional manner
Anonymous
Emily Spencer helped us review & redraft our wills. From start to finish Emily was very efficient and helpful. She explained legal issues. Very clearly for us. We would highly recommend her.Many thanksLouise Elliott
Louise
Aged 91 I needed to rewrite my will and transfer my affairs from a city-centre solicitor to one more accessible for myself and my executors. Winston proved an ideal choice. Emily was most helpful and efficient with the will, and I am confident that my estate will be dealt with just as well.
David
I recently had my will written by Winston's Solicitors, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From my very first contact with the firm, every member of staff was professional, courteous, and attentive to my needs.The solicitor who handled my will took the time to explain everything clearly, making sure I understood each part of the process and felt confident in the decisions I was making. There was no rushing or jargon — just clear, patient guidance through what can often feel like a daunting task.What stood out most was the consistent professionalism across the entire team, from initial enquiry to the final signing. It's clear that client care is a genuine priority at this firm, not just a tagline.I'd happily recommend Winston's Solicitors to anyone looking for a trustworthy, knowledgeable, and professional team to handle their will or other legal matters. Thank you for making the process so straightforward and stress-free.
Richard
We are very grateful to Winston Solicitors for their help in sorting out matters relating to a Last Will and Testament along with a Family Trust. As this was not a straightforward matter, we had no idea where to begin but, thanks to Monika Volsing and her team, this has now been completed. It has taken a good few months but Monika has been there to explain and carry out every step that needed to be undertaken. There is no way we could have done this without Winston Solicitors and I cannot recommend them highly enough
Lynne
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