The Forever Friends Appeal has gained a welcome boost to its funds with the news that the RUH Will Month fundraising initiative ran throughout the month of September raised an incredible £31,350.00 to help towards the care of patients at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic diseases (RNHRD).

The annual fundraising scheme enlists the support of local firms of solicitors who, through their generosity, waived their usual fee and reduced the cost of their professional will writing services which they donated towards the hospital's charity, The Forever Friends Appeal. The initiative offers the general public the opportunity to have a Will drawn up professionally at a reduced cost, with a single standard Will for £100 or standard Mirror Wills at £150.00.

Since the scheme was first introduced in September 2015 it has raised an amazing total of  £65,000 to help fund projects that make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients cared for by the Trust each year.

Jan Witt, Legacy Officer RUH explains "RUH Will Month has been very valuable to us since we first introduced it. Not only does it raise significant funds towards the work we do helping to fund projects and equipment for all areas across the hospitals, but provides a yearly reminder to the public, to focus on getting their affairs in order and sort out the things that are likely to matter most to them after they die.  Taking part in the scheme not only helps to put their affairs in order providing them with peace of mind, but also an opportunity to support their local hospital.

Jan continues "We are very appreciative of the generous support given to us by local solicitors who work extremely hard to help as many people as possible to draw up thousands of Wills throughout the month of September. The Appeal is extremely grateful to the following organisations; Ames Kent Solicitors, Awdry Bailey & Douglas, BLB, Burningham & Brown, Farnfields, FDC Law, Forrester Sylvester Mackett, Harris & Harris, Helen Starkie solicitor, Mowbray Woodwards, Mogers Drewett, Thatcher & Hallam LLP, Wards and Royds Withy King solicitors." The success of the amount raised this year is a testament of their sheer hard work, together with the generosity of the public who came forward to have their Wills written under the scheme. We would like to thank each and every one of them." 

Sarah Loveless, a Partner with Burningham Brown Solicitors, specialising in Wills, Probate and Family Law says " Making a Will is such an important thing to do, yet many of us don't want to think about it, or are worried about the cost, even though it can leave behind big problems.   

We spend our lives working to provide for ourselves and our loved ones.  You may have a house or flat (in the UK or overseas) shares, savings, investments as well as personal possessions.  All of these assets are your "estate".  Making a Will ensures that when you die your estate is shared according to your wishes.  You may also wish to leave money to causes close to your heart, or specify funeral wishes, therefore it is very important to consider making a Will.   Burningham and Brown Solicitors are delighted to support this special initiative again, as it serves not only as a useful reminder that writing a Will is incredibly important, but the firm are also able to help raise money for our local hospital, that is not only close to our hearts but may provide care for many of our clients, now and in the future."

Jan Witt continues, "The charity, relies on donations and gifts in Wills to help the RUH to continue to provide the very best treatment, medical equipment and facilities for all the patients it cares for across Bath, Somerset, Wiltshire and further afield. This annual scheme is an ideal way to raise awareness of the importance of having an up to date Will, with the opportunity for the public to choose and support a specific area of the hospital's work; now and in the future. We are so pleased and overwhelmed with the response again this year and hope that September 2017 will be

Just as successful!"

If you are thinking about updating or making a Will and would like to receive an information leaflet to the scheme for this year, please contact Jan Witt on 01225 825819 or email jan.witt@nhs.net.

The Forever Friends Appeal

The Appeal has helped secure over £17 million to provide state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the Royal United Hospital (RUH), Bath.

We continue to raise funds for all areas of the hospital (alongside our major campaign), under our recognized name and logo to ensure the best possible level of acute care to the 500,000 people in Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire and the Mendip area of Somerset.

RUH Cancer Care Campaign

The Appeal's current major fundraising Campaign is raising a minimum of £8.5million towards the cost of a pioneering new Cancer Centre at the RUH - taking a holistic approach that is designed to produce a highly beneficial healing environment for patients and their families. The new Centre will transform RUH cancer services and provide the very best care for all our cancer patients and their families.

Through support from the public and major donations from The James Dyson Foundation & Medlock Charitable Trust, the Appeal has now raised £7.1 million for the new Cancer Centre. 

The Centre will be another jointly funded NHS / Charitable Funds partnership with the parties contributing c66% / 33% respectively.

For more information, visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk