Well-known writer and broadcaster Canon Roger Royle has backed a scheme which helps York's St Leonard's Hospice through "will power".

The Willing to Help St Leonard's initiative offers a special discount rate to anyone who makes a will with specific local solicitors during February and leaves a legacy to the hospice.

Canon Royle said: "Only one in three people makes a will.

By taking part in Willing to Help St Leonard's you can get proper legal advice, and help the hospice provide for the future care of their patients and families."

Canon Royle, who broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday evening, is a Celebrity Friend to our Hospice 2000 Appeal, and gave the address at the Hospice's fifteenth anniversary thanksgiving service in York Minster last February.

Throughout next month eleven local solicitors have agreed that they will charge a specially-discounted fee of only £35.25 per person, as long as the will leaves a legacy of any amount to St Leonard's.

Those who have already made a will can add a simple codicil or amendment to leave a bequest to the hospice, completely free of charge.

Janet Morley, St Leonard's fundraising manager, said: "Legacies play a crucial role in helping the hospice plan, develop and continue future care.

"Many generous people have already remembered us in their will and this has made a huge difference. We hope that, thanks to the continuing support of these local solicitors, many more people will be encouraged to take this important step this coming month, helping themselves, their families and St Leonard's."

A leaflet with details of the participating solicitors, along with a special voucher, can be obtained from the hospice in Tadcaster Road, from the fundraising centre in Acomb, or from any of the St Leonard's shops.

The voucher will also be published in the Evening Press on Thursday (25 January). The hospice also publishes a booklet giving advice on how to make a Will Leaving a Legacy for Future Caring.

To find out about the scheme or obtain a copy of the booklet, contact Janet Morley at St Leonard's Hospice Fundraising Centre, 14 York Road, Acomb, York YO24 4LU or telephone 01904 781576 (9am to 5pm only) and ask for a copy of the Willing to Help St Leonard's list of participating solicitors.

* The solicitors taking part in this year's scheme are: Bailey & Haigh, Selby; Burn and Company, York and Acomb; Denison Till, York; Grays, York; Hague & Dixon, York, Stamford Bridge and Pickering; Harrowell Shaftoe, York, Haxby and Clifton Moor; Munby & Scott, York; Parker March, Selby and Sherburn in Elmet; Rollit Farrell & Bladon, York and Helmsley; Ware & Kay, York; Wood Sherwood & Co, Pocklington.