Birmingham Alzheimer's Society gives gift of free will

The free will scheme, launched today, 22 March 2007, will encourage those aged 55 and over to make or amend their will, with the charity paying for the work to be done.

The Society is hoping people will use the service to plan for the future and take care of their loved ones. The wills will be provided free of charge with the option to leave a gift to the Alzheimer's Society, the leading care and research charity for people with dementia and carers.

Will writing specialists at eight firms of solicitors with offices in central Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield are taking part in this pilot scheme, due to run for four weeks on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Birmingham and Solihull branch of the Alzheimer's Society, one of the charity's most proactive branches, has been specially selected to trial the new service. The branch provides a range of support and information services to people with dementia and their carers of all ages through its publications, helplines, website and local networks.

Shelley Johnston, free wills scheme co-ordinator, Alzheimer's Society says:

'We are delighted that Birmingham residents will be the first to benefit from the scheme and have access to local solicitors who have the knowledge to ensure people's wishes are carried out exactly as they want them to be.

Everyone should have an up to date will and we hope that many will see this project as a way to put their affairs in order and to leave something that could help our work nationally or locally in the future - a gift that will be free of tax as all gifts left to charity in wills are free from inheritance tax.'

Those interested in finding out more about the Alzheimer Society's free will scheme can ring 0845 020 4309 to receive an information pack to include the full contact details of all the solicitors taking part in the scheme.

For more information, contact:

Core PR

Jon Collins, telephone 014 2350 6935, mobile 07944 693 406, email jon@core-pr.co.uk.

Alzheimer's Society

Hannah Clack, Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,000 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.

Firms taking part