PEOPLE are being urged to take advantage of a will-writing scheme with a charity twist.

Legal firms in Kirkby Stephen are among those taking part in ‘Will Aid’, which will give people the chance to make a will during November in exchange for a voluntary donation to charity.

Nine of the UK’s leading charities - including Age UK, Save the Children and the British Red Cross - will share the proceeds.

A recent study by Will Aid found that 50 per cent of adults had not made a will.

The scheme has been endorsed by journalist Robert Peston, who said: “When my late wife Siân Busby and I wrote our wills in our early 40s, we assumed this was boring insurance for an event that would never happen.

“Only 10 years later, Siân died after a horrible illness, and it fell to me to sort out her affairs.

“Devastated by grief, not really thinking straight, I was so grateful that she had written down what she wanted to do with her money and possessions and had given clear instructions about what should be done with her ashes.

“Although the act of writing a will can be upsetting – it probably will be – the pain and disruption for your family if you have not written one is likely to be far worse.”

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid, advised people to log on to the Will Aid website and find out if any solicitors near them were participating.

He added a will was an important yet easy thing to tick off the to-do list.

A spokesperson for Will Aid said the suggested voluntary donation for a ‘basic’ will was £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills.