SOLICITORS Thorne Segar, of Minehead, have been recognised with a 'certificate of excellence' from Cancer Research UK after facilitating more than £1.5 million of gifts from people choosing to leave a legacy to the charity in their will.

Thorne Segar has been offering Cancer Research UK’s Free Will Service to people aged 18 and over in West Somerset for the past five years, giving guidance and support to those wishing to write a will or update an existing one.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, and gifts in wills fund more than a third of the charity’s life-saving work.

Without them, the charity would not be able to undertake its pioneering research which is not only saving lives in West Somerset but across the world.

Thorne Segar wills expert Iestyn Milton-Jenkins said: “We are honoured to have been recognised by Cancer Research UK in this way.

“One in two people will get cancer in their lifetime and many of us at the firm have friends or family who have been affected by cancer.

“Together with clients’ pledges and ours, we are beating cancer for future generations.”

Cancer Research UK head of legacies Samantha Devlin said: “We all reach a stage at some point in our lives where we start to look ahead and consider what will happen to our financial affairs in the future, when we may no longer be around.

“Our free will service is provided without obligation and we are grateful to Thorne Segar for the expertise and sensitivity they show in providing clear information and guidance to help people in the Exmoor and West Somerset area make the best choices for them.

“By combining dedication with the highest professional standards, Thorne Segar has facilitated over £1,571,060 worth of legacy gifts, which will help our scientists, doctors, and nurses to beat cancer sooner.”

Together with its supporters, Cancer Research UK has played a role in developing eight out the world’s top 10 cancer drugs, helped prove the link between tobacco and cancer, and aided the development of radiotherapy which benefits more than 130,000 patients every year in the UK.

As the only charity fighting more than 200 types of cancer, it is determined to accelerate progress so that by 2034 three-in-four people can survive their cancer.

Cancer Research UK’s Free Will Service has been running for more 20 years across a network of solicitors nationwide.

People using the service are asked to consider leaving a legacy gift to Cancer Research UK but are not under an obligation to do so.

More information can be found by visiting its website here or calling Thorne Segar on 01643 703 234.