Singer Cliff Richard has sent his congratulations to staff at St Leonard's Hospice in York for a scheme designed to encourage people to make wills.

He is giving his backing to the annual Willing To Help St Leonard's scheme for the second year running.

The scheme offers a discounted rate to anyone who makes a will in February with any of 13 local solicitors and leaves a legacy to the York hospice.

In his special message to the hospice, Sir Cliff says: "I am delighted to support Willing To Help St Leonard's as I know what wonderful work hospices do. Please act now for the sake of your family and to help such a good cause."

Throughout February, the participating solicitors have agreed to make a new will for a fee of £35.25 per person as long as the will leaves a legacy - of any amount - to the hospice in Tadcaster Road. Those who have already made a will can add a simple amendment to leave a bequest to the hospice, completely free.

Karen Russell, finance and fundraising manager of St Leonard's, said: "Almost everyone knows that making a will is an important thing to do, but only a third of us do so. Willing To Help St Leonard's encourages us all to get proper legal advice - at a very special rate - and to help St Leonard's care for local people and their families at the same time.

"Legacies are very important to the hospice, and many generous people have already remembered us in their will. We hope that, thanks to the continuing support of the local solicitors, many more people will be encouraged to make a will and help themselves and St Leonard's."

A full page advertisement appears in the Evening Press this week, supported by the solicitors and containing a special voucher for the scheme.

A leaflet with details and the voucher can also be obtained from the hospice in Tadcaster Road, from its fundraising centre in Acomb, or from any of the hospice shops.

The hospice also publishes a booklet giving advice on how to make a will.

To find out about the scheme contact St Leonard's Hospice at 185 Tadcaster Road, York, YO24 1GL, or telephone 01904 708553 (9am to 5pm only) and ask for a copy of the Willing To Help St Leonard's list of participating solicitors.

Click here for our Hospice 2000 site

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