Local legal expertise turns into charitable support
Frodshams, a Newton-le-Willows law firm, has raised £6,345 through the nationwide Will Aid scheme, placing it among the top five contributing firms in the North West this year. Instead of their usual fees, the firm prepared basic wills in return for a donation to the campaign’s partner charities, channelling local demand for estate planning into tangible support for good causes.
Will Aid runs each November, encouraging people to put legally robust arrangements in place while backing charities that deliver humanitarian aid, housing advice and support for vulnerable children. Frodshams’ latest total contributes to a running sum of £35,890 the firm has raised since it first joined the scheme in 1996.
What Will Aid funds and how it works
The scheme collaborates with well-known charities and offers suggested donation levels in lieu of standard professional fees for basic wills. According to the organisers, Will Aid has raised more than £26 million since it began in 1988, with many participants also pledging legacy gifts in their wills to further support the causes.
- Partner charities: Age UK, British Red Cross, NSPCC, Shelter (among others supported via Will Aid).
- Timing: Every November, with appointments typically in high demand.
- Suggested donations: £120 for a basic single will; £200 for a pair of basic mirror wills.
Local voices on the campaign’s value
Frodshams described the initiative as an opportunity to do right by clients and the wider community. In a statement, the firm highlighted the dual purpose of giving residents access to professional will-writing while directing funds to charities providing frontline services.
“Will Aid is always a highlight for us – it’s a chance to do something positive for both our clients and the wider community... Helping people put the right plans in place while also raising money for important charities makes it a really worthwhile initiative.”
Will Aid’s leadership also praised the Newton-le-Willows team’s contribution and the difference it makes to the campaign’s overall reach.
“Congratulations to the team on raising such a fantastic amount... It’s always inspiring to see firms come together to support Will Aid, giving their time and expertise to help clients while raising vital funds for our partner charities.”
Why it matters for St Helens residents
Many households put off writing a will, often until a health scare or a family milestone. Initiatives like Will Aid reduce barriers by replacing standard legal fees with a donation structure, allowing people to prioritise essential planning while contributing to services that help others. For residents in Newton-le-Willows and across St Helens, that means local appointments can lead directly to support for charities delivering humanitarian relief, safeguarding and children’s services, and housing advice.
Will Aid’s participating firms provide a basic will service under the scheme, which can be a first step towards more complex estate planning if needed. The organisers recommend booking early for November as demand is high and appointments are limited. Those engaging with the programme keep the usual benefits of a professionally drafted will—clarity over executors, guardianship, and how property and possessions are shared—while ensuring their donation works beyond the consultation room.
By the numbers
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Frodshams raised this year | £6,345 |
| Frodshams total since 1996 | £35,890 |
| Will Aid total raised since 1988 | £26 million+ |
| Suggested donation (single will) | £120 |
| Suggested donation (mirror wills) | £200 |
Campaign recognition and continued commitment
Will Aid’s organisers credited legal practices like Frodshams for sustaining the initiative’s momentum year after year. Their input, they said, is central to keeping the fundraising model viable and accessible to the public.
“The continued commitment from firms like Frodshams is what makes Will Aid such a success year after year. It’s a great example of how the legal profession can make a meaningful difference in communities.”
With another strong showing this year and recognition among the North West’s top-performing firms, Frodshams’ contribution underscores a simple premise: estate planning can be approached in a way that helps households put their affairs in order while supporting organisations that deliver essential services locally, nationally and internationally.
