More than 1,100 solicitors have participated in a will-writing scheme that is set to raise at least £1.5m for nine UK charities.

Solicitors all over the country took part in November 2010’s Will Aid campaign, forgoing their usual fee for preparing a will, and instead asking clients to make a donation to the British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Age UK, NSPCC, Save the Children UK and other major charities.

Participating solicitors received publicity in local, regional and national media, including The Times and BBC Money Box.

Will Aid said the scheme gave firms an opportunity to attract new clients who are likely to return with further business, and show that their firm is approachable and caring. It said the scheme also underlined the value of using a qualified and experienced professional to write wills.

London solicitor Emma Rowe, whose firm Emma Rowe Solicitors in Newington Green participated in the scheme for the first time last year, said: ‘People are clearly aware of the need to have a professional will drawn up, and we wrote 90 wills, raising over £7,000 for charity. We are delighted to have taken part in this valuable campaign and, with the support of our local community, to have raised vital funds for nine major charities.’

Will Aid chairman Iain McAndrew said: ‘I would like to publicly thank all participating solicitors for their hard work and for being such enthusiastic supporters of Will Aid. It is a real achievement to have drafted so many wills for clients to raise this enormous sum in just a few weeks. The participating charities are really grateful for the life-saving work this makes possible.’

The campaign will run again in November, and new solicitors are needed to meet the growing demand from the public. For more information and to register for the 2011 campaign, visit the Will Aid website.