Making a Will can seem daunting, not to mention costly. But anyone aged 60 and over, and stroke survivors of any age, can make or update a simple Will free of charge through our Free Will Scheme.
By using our Scheme, you can be sure the people and causes closest to your heart will benefit in the way you'd like them to.
Leanne Gray, 32, from Bury St Edmunds, decided to make a Will after having a stroke at the age of 29.
'I was terrified,' she recalls. 'I remember having a conversation with my mum about my wishes should I not make it, as I was being prepared for emergency surgery. After my stroke, I made a Will so if the worst should happen it'll be clear what my family need to do.'
Leanne chose to leave a gift in her Will to the Stroke Association.
'When I lost my grandfather to stroke in 2015, the charity gave me lots of information - it has been close to my heart ever since,' she explains. 'The support provided by the Stroke Association is absolutely vital. I feel really proud to leave a legacy that contributes towards that.'
'Legacy gifts make up a third of our entire income,' says the Stroke Association's Head of Legacy Engagement, Azizah Aziz. 'They have helped to fund major research and surgical breakthroughs and played a vital role in the recoveries of hundreds of thousands of stroke survivors. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who leaves us a gift.'
For Leanne, having her Will sorted means she can focus on making the best possible recovery after her stroke.
'I would really encourage anyone of any age to make a Will. I went to bed fit and well and woke up having a stroke. It really can happen to anyone at any time.'
Emma McCann, Partner at Irwin Mitchell LLP, explains why Wills are so important.
'A lot of people don't realise that if you don't have a Will then the law decides who inherits your assets. This may not be who you would want it to be and the only way to prevent this from happening is to make a Will that clearly sets out your wishes.
'Homemade Wills tend to be fraught with issues and it can be expensive to sort any problems after death. A Will is a legal document, and having a properly drafted Will made by a solicitor gives you peace of mind. It may help to prevent disputes and unnecessary expense and upset following death.'
Learn more
Find out more about making your Will with our Free Will Scheme.
Stroke News magazine
This article is featured in the winter 2021 edition of our magazine, Stroke News. Subscribe to our future editions available in print, on audio CD, or via email.