A CHARITY has urged people in Worcestershire to write a will and raise money for people living with life-threatening illnesses.

June is write-a-will month and organisers St Richard's Hospice have enlisted the help of county solicitors to help people plan ahead.

Tricia Cavell, hospice fund-raising manager, said: "It's not something to put off until tomorrow when it makes much more sense to get it done today.

"What many people don't realise is that unless you make a will, the law decides who will receive your possessions when you die.

"If you are married and die without a will, it's a common misconception that the surviving spouse inherits everything. This is not always the case and depends on the size of the estate or brothers and sisters and parents who may make a claim.

"If you are not married, but living with your partner and don't have a will, your partner receives nothing."

During June, participating solicitors are offering to write a simple will for as little as £45 for a single or £65 for a double, with all fees being donated to the hospice. In the last four years the scheme has raised about £28,000 for the hospice.

Participating solicitors include: Dawn Oliver, Harrison Clark, Worcester, on 01905 612001; Richard Wilkes and Melanie Cooper, Hallmarks Solicitors, Worcester, 01905 726600; Laura Box, Parkinson Wright, Worcester 01905 726789; Sue Penn, Parkinson Wright, Droitwich, 01905 775533; Vicki Webb and Hilary Evans, Evans Webb Solicitors, Malvern, 01684 562526.