LAW firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys has raised the most in the UK for the Will Aid initiative.

Lawyers donate money from Will making to the charity and in the last ten years HCR, which has offices in Worcester, Hereford, Cheltenham and Ross-on-Wye, has handed over a total of £85,167, making it the nation's top contributor.

Last year the firm wrote 160 Wills and through the generosity of its Will Aid clients who made donations, raised £13,295 (excluding Gift Aid).

“It is so important to make a will to ensure that your assets go to those you wish to have them,” said Victoria Borrow, solicitor at Harrison Clark Rickerbys. “Unless you make a proper Will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy. Not only can this mean that the people you wanted to benefit might not do so, but it can also bring your loved ones additional stress and heartache dealing with difficult circumstances at a time when they are least equipped to cope.

“Will Aid is such a great scheme since it enables people to have a professionally drafted will at a reduced cost and raises money for worthy causes at the same time. We would like to thank all of our clients for their generosity and of course our hard working team who deliver a superb result year on year. This amazing sum is making a real and lasting difference to vulnerable children, families and older people in the UK and around the world.”

The money raised through Will Aid is shared by nine well-known UK charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Pete Kelsell, Will Aid representative, added: "At Christian Aid we are tremendously grateful to Harrison Clark Rickerbys for their continuing commitment to support Will Aid. The charities all get an equal share of the donations and over the years this has significantly added to our ability to support work in some of the poorest communities across the world."