Horsham charity raises thousands towards its diamond goal

Maureen Vallon, chairman of the board of trustees, for the charity met with solicitors from Horsham company, Kreston Reeves, at the end of August.

At the meeting she received £4,200 raised through Age UK Horsham District’s first make a will scheme to go towards the charity’s funds.

Earlier in 2018 the team at Age UK Horsham District, with support from Kreston Reeves solicitors Philip Lansberry, Sarah Kench, Gemma Spencer and Shabana Khairi, organised two ‘make a will’ workshops and a ‘make a will scheme’.

The two free workshops were well attended, with 23 older people benefiting from the opportunity to talk to a solicitor in an informal setting.

The workshops covered how people could make or amend their will or lasting power of attorney.

Maureen Vallon said “It was a pleasure to accept this cheque on behalf of Age UK Horsham District.

“I am so grateful to Kreston Reeves, in particular Philip, Sarah, Shabana and Gemma, for their support to make these initiatives happen.

“Not only were we able to provide good advice on these matters, for free, to local older people, we were also able to raise some funds to continue supporting our good work in Horsham District.”

Those attending the two workshops said that it was ‘invaluable to be able to speak to a solicitor informally about these matters, and for free’.

Workshops took the format those attending and solicitors all sitting around the table having a cup of coffee and asking whatever questions they had.

Following this, Kreston Reeves solicitors kindly gave their time pro bono (for free) and in return for a donation to Age UK Horsham District for up to 20 local people/couples to write/amend their wills and lasting power of attorneys.

Donations from the 11 people/couples who took part in the scheme totalled £4,200 which will go towards funding the free services Age UK Horsham District offers that support older people in the local area around the district, with the aims of tackling loneliness and social isolation, improving access to services and financial support and generally helping older people to love later life.

Maureen added: “It is particularly special that we were able to start these initiatives, which I hope will be the first of many, this year as we (Age UK Horsham District) are celebrating a special milestone this year.

“It is our 60th (diamond) anniversary of helping local older people to love later life.”

2018 is a very special year for Age UK Horsham District as the current charity team of staff and volunteers, representing a charity that has been working locally and supporting thousands of older people to love later life for 60 years, is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

During the year the branch celebrates the achievements of the charity and local older people, publicising what they do so they can help more local older people and fundraising so that they can carry on for the next 60 years.

If you would like to find out more about how Age UK Horsham District could help you or someone you know or how you could help the charity, please contact them on 01403 260560, email [email protected] or alternatively visit www.ageukhorshamdistrict.org.uk.

To donate directly to the 2018 diamond anniversary campaign, please visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/60for60