Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Legal firms give backing to hospice will campaign
Several Monklands legal firms have pledged their support to St Andrew’s Hospice’s Make a Will Month.
The campaign – now in its seventh year – will see participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic will in return for a suggested donation to the Airdrie hospice throughout March.
The local firms getting involved are Eric Wallace, Bell Russell & Co, Louise Scullion, Hamilton Ross, and Leona Murphy, Morison & Smith of Airdrie and Coatbridge’s William Watt, Friels.
The suggested donation for a basic will is £95, £150 for a pair of basic mirror wills or £50 for a basic codicil to an existing will.
When you write a will and keep it up to date, you can feel secure in the knowledge that your wishes will be honoured after you are gone and that the people you care about will be provided for.
In addition to helping people get their affairs in order, Make a Will Month also aims to raise awareness of the importance of legacies to the
Lanarkshire charity.
Gifts in wills are an invaluable source of income to the hospice.
Lorna Mccafferty, trusts, legacy and individual giving manager at the hospice, said: “I am delighted that so many firms have agreed to take part in our Make a Will Month campaign again this year.
“Without their continued support and the support of the people of Lanarkshire, we would be unable to run this important campaign.
“You can help us be here for future generations through a gift in your will. There is no obligation to do so, but your legacy can live on and help us to continue to care for your family, your friends and your community should they need us.
“Every gift, large or small, helps families to celebrate the life of their loved one while they are together, no matter how long or short the time may be.”
For more about the hospice’s Make a Will Month campaign, and a list of participating solicitors, visit www.st-andrews-hospice. com or contact Lorna by calling 01236 772087 or emailing lorna. mccafferty@standrews.scot.nhs.uk
The outstanding achievements and bravery of Police Scotland officers and staff and members of the public have been celebrated by their peers and bosses.
The Chief Constable’s Bravery and Excellence Awards was held virtually due to the pandemic, with officers and staff and award winners and their families able to view the ceremony remotely from across the country.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone presented 25 bravery awards to 31 police officers and 16 members of the public.
Mr Livingstone said: “The past 12 months have underlined the relentless and challenging nature of policing.
“Officers and staff are playing a crucial role supporting the national response to coronavirus.
“At the same time, they continue to meet the needs of our communities, providing day-to-day policing and responding to a number of demanding and high profile incidents.
“The ceremony was an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the outstanding policing which occurs all over Scotland, day in, day out, and to commend members of the public for the selfless acts of bravery and courage to help their fellow citizens.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our winners and nominees and thank them very much for their commitment to public service.
“I’m also grateful to Police Mutual for their continued support of this important event.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf, added: “The Bravery and Excellence Awards allow us to reflect on selfless acts of courage which have made a real difference to people at their greatest time of need and to recognise the innovative and high quality work by officers and staff from across the service, the Scottish Police Authority and other partners.
“I want to thank all the officers, staff and members of the public who were nominated for awards for their service and support in these challenging times.
“I have always been proud of the dedication shown by our police officers and police staff, to keep us all safe, and the current pandemic has highlighted that the police workforce is highly adaptable in its response to new challenges.”