Make September the Month to Create Your Will and Support Children’s Hospice Care

Editorial Brief
At a glance: AI-assisted overview, optimised for journalists, search & news aggregators

Francis House Children's Hospice is running a "Make a Will Month" campaign in September, where people can have a Will written or updated by participating solicitors in Northwest England in exchange for a donation to the hospice. The initiative aims to help individuals secure their family's future while supporting the hospice, which provides care to over 435 families with children and young adults facing life-shortening conditions in Greater Manchester. The suggested donation for the service is £100 for an individual Will or £175 for a mirror Will for couples, with all proceeds aiding the hospice's care efforts.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

Charity will-writing campaigns have become a familiar fixture in the calendar for many legal firms and hospices, offering a practical way for individuals to address essential personal planning while supporting local causes. The Francis House Children’s Hospice initiative for September brings this approach to families across Greater Manchester, combining the expertise of regional solicitors with a fundraising drive for specialist care services.

For participating solicitors, the scheme offers an opportunity to engage with new clients and reinforce the importance of formal estate planning, a subject often postponed by individuals of all ages. For the hospice, donations raised through the campaign provide a valuable funding stream at a time when many charities are facing increased financial pressures. The scheme’s local focus ensures that support remains within the community, directly benefiting families who rely on the hospice’s services.

Story Ideas
Local/community

Legal Services and Charity Collaboration in Greater Manchester

A group of solicitors across Greater Manchester have partnered with Francis House Children's Hospice to offer Will-writing services in exchange for donations, impacting local communities and charitable giving.

Target audience
who would cover this
Story potential
6/10
Consumer trend

Charity Campaign Encourages Will-Making Amidst Financial Strain

The Francis House Children's Hospice 'Make a Will Month' campaign highlights a growing trend of combining personal financial planning with charitable giving, particularly relevant during times of economic uncertainty.

Target audience
who would cover this
Story potential
7/10
Press Release

Manchester - September 16,2026

Join the Francis House Children’s Hospice Make a Will Month campaign to safeguard your family’s future with a first Will or an updated Will and help support the families of children and young people with life-shortening conditions. During the month of September, you can have a Will written by Northwest solicitors partnering in the charity scheme who are giving their time free of charge in return for a donation to the charity. Francis House Children’s Hospice supports more than 435 families from across Greater Manchester. The hospice provides holistic care in a home from home environment to children and young adults who have a life-shortening or life-threatening condition. Participating legal firms will draw up a simple Will or amend an existing Will in return for a suggested donation of £100 for an individual Will or £175 for a mirror Will for married couples or partners. The Will Month enables you to get the Will you need for less than you would usually pay for the services of a specialist Will lawyer, and all donations will allow Francis House to provide the very best care to children, young people and their families from across Greater Manchester.

Rita and Peter Hovington decided to make a Will through the scheme.

Rita said: “People shy away from making a Will but it helps those left behind as they can feel safe in the knowledge that your wishes are expressed in the Will. It also gives you peace of mind that your family will benefit when anything happens to you.

“The service we received under the Francis House ‘Make a Will’  scheme was very good and everything was put down plainly and clearly and with understanding from the solicitor. We also thought Francis House was a worthy cause and were happy to support them with a donation.”

Participating solicitors in the scheme include Hargreaves Gilman in Didsbury, O’Donnell Solicitors in Uppermill, Wrigley Claydon in Oldham and AST Hampsons in Bury.

Rachel Damianou is Head of Wills, Probate, Trusts & Powers of Attorney at Wrigley Claydon in Oldham.

Rachel said: “Wrigley Claydon are proud to be involved in the Francis House Make a Will Month scheme. Making a Will is really important if you want to ensure you provide for your chosen family, friends or charity rather than the law deciding what happens to your assets when you pass away.

“Making a Will this September not only makes sure your wishes will be followed, but it is also an opportunity to support such a worthwhile charity in these difficult financial times.

Jill Waddington of O’Donnell Solicitors in Uppermill is also backing the scheme.

Jill said: “No matter your age or size of your estate, we always advise our clients to have a Will in place to ensure it passes in accordance with your wishes and to give you peace of mind, why not support a worthy charity in the process.” Susie Poppitt of Francis House said: “It’s so easy to put off making a Will as “something to do tomorrow”, but leaving a Will is one of the most important things you can do. As well as making provision for the future of your loved ones, taking part our campaign will mean you have the satisfaction of knowing that planning for your own family’s future has made a real difference to families throughout the region who are cared for by Francis House.”

The Francis House ‘Make a Will Month’ scheme runs from September 1 until September 30.

For more information about Make a Will Month and participating legal firms in your area, contact [email protected] call Susie on 07931 642409 or visit francishouse.org.uk/will-month

Notes to editors

About Francis House Children’s Hospice Francis House Children’s Hospice supports more than 435 families from across Greater Manchester. The hospice provides holistic care in a home from home environment to children and young adults who have a life-shortening or life-threatening condition. Support is offered to the whole family and includes physical, emotional and psychological care from a dedicated multi-disciplinary care team. In addition to respite care, the teams at the hospice also provide homecare and community support. The total running cost of Francis House per year is £5.8 million. Out of every £1 spent 94p goes towards charitable work.

Get more news like this

Get more news like this on Google. Set News By Wire as a ‘Preferred News Source’ to get quicker access to news that’s important.

All done!
Thank you for subscribing.

Email Subscription