A DONATION of more than £3000 has been given to St Leonard'sHospice in York to hekp support its work of caring for people.

The money was raised during Make a Will Week and Dying Matters Awareness Week which was held in May to highlight the importance of people telling loved ones what their wishes are after they have died.

Four local solicitors which supported the event were Langleys Solicitors LLP, Ware & Kay LLP, Quality Solicitors Burn & Company and Bromets Jackson Heath Solicitors, who gave their time to write basic wills, free of charge in exchange for a suggested minimum donation to the work of the hospice.

Around 40 wills were written during the week, with donations given for each one, raising more than £3,000. The solicitors have now presented the money collected to the hospice.

Sue Edwards, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: "Our special week underlined the importance of making a will to let family and friends know your wishes and to make things easier for those you leave behind, as well as ensuring your wishes are clear if you choose to leave a gift to a charity.

"We are very grateful to the four firms of solicitors who took part in this year’s ‘Make a Will Week’, and we’re pleased to welcome some of them to visit us to see the work of St Leonard’s. Thank you, too, to the people who made wills and donated so generously. Their donations – and any legacies to the hospice – will help St Leonard’s to continue to provide its care and support for local people with life-threatening illnesses."