Banner Jones helps secure more than £700,000 for future cancer research through will-writing partnership
Banner Jones has helped secure more than £700,000 in future gifts for Cancer Research UK through its partnership with the charity's Free Will Service, helping fund life-saving research that will benefit generations to come.
Since joining the initiative in May 2025, the firm's specialist Wills team, which advises clients on all aspects of later-life planning, including wills, trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), has written 22 wills through the scheme.
Banner Jones Will Writers across Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire have worked with clients to secure £707,065 in pledged future donations.
The partnership enables people to have a professionally prepared will while giving them the opportunity to leave a gift that could help fund future breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. More than one-third of Cancer Research UK's life-saving research is funded through gifts in wills, making legacy donations one of the charity's most important sources of income.
Nationally, Cancer Research UK's Free Will Service has enabled 8,341 wills to be written, with 6,044 people choosing to leave a gift to the charity - representing 72% of participating clients - helping secure more than £85 million in future legacy donations.
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives through research, influence and information. Last year, at least 78p of every £1 donated was invested directly in research, while the remainder supported initiatives such as the Free Will Service, Race for Life events and the charity's retail network, helping generate future income.
Last year, Cancer Research UK invested more than £8 million in research across the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. Together, around 59,000 people are diagnosed with cancer across these regions every year, while local researchers are developing new ways of measuring the impact of early diagnosis initiatives, helping identify the most effective approaches to improving survival rates for people with cancer.
Tina Fisher, Senior Will Writer at Banner Jones, said: "Making a will gives people peace of mind that their loved ones will be looked after and their wishes respected. Through our partnership with Cancer Research UK, it also gives clients the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy that could help transform the future of cancer research.
We are absolutely delighted by the response we've seen since joining the Free Will Service. The generosity of our clients has been truly remarkable, with more than £700,000 pledged towards future research in just over a year.
Across the communities where Banner Jones has offices, we see first-hand the impact cancer has on individuals and families, which is why we're proud to support a charity that's driving forward life-saving research while helping improve outcomes for people closer to home.
It's incredibly rewarding to help our clients plan for the future while creating a lasting legacy that could make a difference for generations to come."
Alistair Ballard-Martin from Cancer Research UK said: "We're extremely grateful to Banner Jones and everyone who has chosen to leave a gift in their will through the Free Will Service. Legacy gifts fund more than one-third of our life-saving research, meaning every pledge has the potential to help future generations live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer.
By working with trusted local solicitors such as Banner Jones, we're making it easier for people to put their affairs in order while creating a lasting legacy that could help accelerate the discoveries of tomorrow."
Banner Jones provides legal advice to individuals and businesses across South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire. Its specialist Wills and Probate team advises clients on all aspects of estate planning, including wills, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and inheritance planning.
(Pictured: L to R From Banner Jones, Harry Dunec, Tina Fisher, Ann Wilson, Jakob Beecham and Alistair Ballard-Martin of Cancer Research UK)