9 September 2025
As we near Make a Will Month this October, we’re grateful to work with local solicitors who are not only offering their time and expertise for free, but who are also passionate about helping families plan for the future - while supporting the work of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
We spoke with Rory Thorp from Derrick Bridges and Co, one of the generous firms participating this October. Here, Rory shares what inspired him and his team to get involved, and the important truths he wishes more people understood about writing a Will.
When asked what motivated Derrick Bridges and Co to support Noah’s Ark through Make a Will Month, Rory said:
“The Make a Will Month for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice allows us to give something back to a wonderful charity that does exceptional work. We know that charities are faced with ever increasing challenges and so this allows us to help where we can.”
For many, writing a Will can feel overwhelming or even unnecessary - but Rory wants to change that perception:
“I think it is important to approach writing a Will with the view that you are securing your assets and ensuring that you are distributing them in accordance with your wishes. An absence of a valid Will can unnecessarily lengthen the dealing of an estate and it can also mean your assets pass to beneficiaries that you had no intention of benefiting. A valid Will also enables you to appoint whoever you think is best suited to dealing with the administration of your estate and honouring the wishes in your Will as your executors. Therefore, if anything, it provides a greater sense of control.”
Rory also shared some insight into what most clients are thinking about when they come in to make their Will, and how the process can often bring unexpected clarity:
“There are a number of factors that influence the structure of the Will, whether it is the financial side or the family set up. It is important for us to gather a detailed picture of our clients’ lives so that we can ensure that the best possible advice is given. We often find that clients have assets that they haven’t looked at for a while and so it is a useful exercise for both us and them to gather this understanding. We often find that after meetings clients have this sense of relief, almost a weight has been lifted, knowing that they have started the process.”
Thinking about writing your Will is an important step in planning for the future and our Make a Will Month provides a wonderful opportunity to do this.
Find out more
To find out how to book your appointment on our Make a Will Month page here.
If you are considering leaving a gift to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in your Will to help support children who are seriously unwell, and their families for generations to come, please visit our Gift in Wills page here or contact our Supporter Engagement Team on 020 8449 8877.
