Taysiders are the most generous people in the UK for remembering good causes when making a will, according to the charity Will Aid.
The latest figures from the fundraising scheme have revealed that, at £13,000, Thorntons’ clients made the largest single donation to the appeal in 2006.
Thorntons, Tayside’s largest law firm, was also Will Aid’s biggest benefactor in 2002, with £8,000, and 2004, when the firm raised £10,000. The sum raised this year is enough to fund sight restoration procedures for 8,000 children with cataracts.
Held bi-annually in November, Will Aid helps to fund nine of the country’s best known charities – ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, NSPCC, Save the Children UK, Sight Savers International, SCIAF and Trocaire.
During Will Aid, participating firms waive their fees for making or altering wills and instead offer clients the chance to donate what they would have paid to the charity.
The money raised is put to work helping children, families and the elderly in the UK and around the world. More than £600,000 was raised across the UK in 2006.
Nick Barclay, Thorntons managing partner, said: "We are delighted to once again have raised the largest amount in the UK for the Will Aid campaign. We work hard to promote Will Aid and would also like to pay tribute to the generosity of those Thorntons clients who made this donation possible.”
Shirley Marsland, of Will Aid, added: “We are grateful to Thorntons for all they do for Will Aid. They are consistently the top-performing firm and raise the most of any firm in the UK. They are a wonderful example of what can be achieved with hard work and enthusiasm.”
Established in Dundee more than 150 years ago, Thorntons has 30 partners and employs almost 350 staff across its offices in Dundee, Perth, Arbroath, Forfar and Edinburgh advising on all aspects of the law, both commercial and personal.
Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of Thorntons Solicitors.
Contact: Kimberley Hamilton, Tel 01698 787878