# Online will writing service raises £1bn in legacy pledges

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/05/23/online-will-writing-service-raises-1bn-in-legacy-pledges/
- Published: 2024-05-23T08:38:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Online will writer Farewill has now raised £1 billion in legacy pledges for charities
including Cancer Research, Battersea Cats & Dogs, Surfers Against Sewage, The Donkey
Sanctuary, and the RNLI.**

The pledges have been made by more than 60,000 people who have used the platform
to write their will.

[Farewill](https://farewill.com/) partners with charities to enable them to offer
free will writing services through their website. 37% of the platform’s wills currently
contain legacies and Farewill also focuses on residuary gifts – when a percentage
of an estate is donated to a charity.

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Dan Garrett, founder and CEO of Farewill, said: 

> “We are thrilled to have hit £1 billion in legacy pledges for charity. This is
> a testament to the generosity of the British public to support the causes they
> are most passionate about. It’s more important than ever for people to have frank
> conversations with those they love and prepare for the future. Any legacy in a
> will could make a huge difference by providing charities with the critical income
> they need to continue research, provide care for the vulnerable or services for
> people or animals in need. We’re inspired by the opportunity to support charities
> of all sizes through Farewill and make it easier for them to do their vital work.”

The most popular good causes include cancer charities (43%), animal welfare (17%),
and health (14%). Since Farewill started tracking donations, more money has been
donated by people living in Greater London (23%), than in any other part of the 
UK. The most generous regions include the South East (17%) and South West (12%).

Craig Fordham, Director of Operational Delivery & Legacies at [Macmillan Cancer Support](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/),
said:

> “The £1 billion in will pledges is a phenomenal legacy from the British public
> and shows how generous people can be. It will have an enormous impact on all the
> charities Farewill works with and help to ensure these organisations can make 
> a difference in the world. At Macmillan Cancer Support 40% of our total income
> came from gifts in wills last year. We are so thankful for all those who choose
> to support us in this way – we know sometimes this is to pay forward care they
> or a loved one have had and that is very special.”

Lucinda Frostick, Director at [Remember A Charity](https://www.rememberacharity.org.uk/),
commented:

> “Appetite for this form of giving has reached record levels in recent years, with
> gifts in wills now funding vital charitable services for beneficiaries across 
> the country, while enabling supporters to continue helping the good causes they
> care about beyond their lifetime. Particularly in such tough economic times, charitable
> gifts in wills have never been more valued or more needed.”

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