Will writing company celebrates 1,000 charity legacy landmark

An online will writing company is proud to be announcing that it has helped an incredible 1,000 charities through pledges and gifts in people’s wills written on its website since launching in 2018.

FreeWills is the UK’s second largest online will writing service. Founded by Oxford-based entrepreneur Carl Christensen (pictured), the company’s aim is to provide an easy way for members of the public to make a personalised will, for free. As part of its mission, FreeWills is committed to encouraging its customers to consider leaving a gift to charity in their wills.

Thanks to its efforts, 1,000 charities have now benefitted through gifts and pledges made by members of the public using its online will writing service. The charities range from household name organisations to small local groups, across all sub-sectors from animal welfare to healthcare and military.

Christensen, managing director of FreeWills, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have helped 1,000 charities benefit from gifts and pledges in wills. We’re constantly taken aback by people’s generosity and hope we can continue to play our part so many more charities can benefit from this invaluable source of income."

A little over 10% of people leaving money to charity bequeathed a share of their estate, with the vast majority opting to leave cash gifts. The largest single cash donation was £500,000, and the average cash donation was £11,248, illustrating the vast potential of this form of fundraising.