Make a Will Fortnight 2026:

help hospice care live on

30th April 2026/

  • Make a Will Fortnight takes place from 11–22 May 2026

  • Local solicitors are offering free appointments during the fortnight in return for a small donation to St Luke’s

  • One in four of our patients is cared for thanks to gifts left in wills

  • You can also write or update your will for free online with Farewill all year round

St Luke’s Make a Will Fortnight 11 – 22 May 2026

Life changes. And often, our wills do not keep up.

Marriage, separation, children, grandchildren, moving house, or caring for someone else can all affect what we want to happen in the future. Our Make a Will Fortnight is a chance to pause and put things in order.

From 11–22 May 2026, generous local solicitors are offering their time for free to help people write or update a will. There is no legal fee. Instead, participants are invited to make a small donation to St Luke’s instead.

One in four of our patients is cared for because someone chose to leave a gift in their will. These decisions, often made quietly and thoughtfully, are the reason we can be there when families need us most.

Why gifts in wills matter to hospice care

We offer our hospice services free of charge to our patients. No one ever receives a bill for being cared for. But unlike the NHS, we are not fully state funded. Rising costs and growing demand mean that we rely on the continued kindness of our community to keep our services running.

When someone in our community needs us, we are there. But only because someone else once remembered us in their will.

Without these gifts, we risk losing our ability to provide care to everyone who needs it.

What happens during Make a Will Fortnight?

During Make a Will Fortnight, selected local solicitors donate their time for free to support St Luke’s.

They will help you:

  • Write a new will
  • Update an existing will
  • Make sure your wishes are clear and legally sound

Instead of paying a solicitor’s fee, you are invited to make a donation to St Luke’s.

Appointments are limited and are booked directly with the participating solicitors. The solicitors taking part in the week are: Howard & Over Solicitors, CWC Solicitors, Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors, Gard & Co Solicitors GA Solicitors and Thompson and Jackson Solicitors incorporating Roper James.

If you are unable to take part during these two weeks, you can still write or update your will for free online or over the phone with Farewill at any time of the year.

A will is about more than money

People often think a will is only about finances. In reality, it does much more than that.

A will:

  • Makes your final wishes clear
  • Ensures your possessions go to the right people
  • Helps protect children and dependants
  • Reduces stress and uncertainty for loved ones

Writing a will is one of the most caring things you can do for those you love. It ensures that everything you own is passed on exactly as you wish, avoiding confusion or disagreements later.

If you do not leave a will, the law dictates who inherits your estate (intestacy), which may not reflect your wishes. Writing a will puts you in control – these are your decisions, not anyone else’s. For many people, writing a will brings peace of mind. For others, it is a way to reflect what matters most to them.

Some people choose to include a gift to St Luke’s as part of that reflection. Even a small percentage can help care continue for future generations.

Your will can protect the people you love and help ensure that when someone in our community faces the end of their life, they receive care, dignity, and comfort.

Not just today. But for generations to come.

Together, we can make hospice care live on, for all, for now, forever.

Find out more and book your appointment here. 

FAQs

Do I have to leave a gift to St Luke’s in my will?

No. There is no obligation. Taking part in Make a Will Fortnight is about giving people the opportunity to write or update a will while supporting the hospice in a way that feels right for them.

How much does it cost?

There is no legal fee, the solicitors are generously giving their time for free. Instead, participants are invited to make a donation to St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

What if I already have a will?

Many people use Make a Will Fortnight to update an existing will, especially if their circumstances have changed.

How much should I donate?

This is completely personal to you, a suggested donation of £150 for a single will or £250 for a mirror will would be greatly appreciated.

Find out more about Make a Will Fortnight Legacy and end-of-life planning guide

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