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Make a will - as cheating death is only an option in fiction

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Game of Thrones star, Iain Glen, backs will writing scheme for Will Aid campaign

Game of Thrones star Iain Glen has urged the public to “own up to the inevitable” and make a will.

The multi-award-winning film, television, and stage actor spoke out following the announcement that he is set to become a patron of Will Aid in its 30th anniversary year.

Its will-writing scheme is designed to reinforce the need for everyone to have a professionally drawn-up will while also raising funds for nine causes.

Iain, whose Game of Thrones character Jorah Mormont recovers from the deadly disease greyscale, said: “Cheating death is only an option in fiction.

“Making a will is really about owning up to the inevitable. We organise ourselves in life and so we should in death by clarifying our final wishes. I urge people to make an appointment with their local solicitor as soon as they possibly can.”

“I found making a will a happy, comforting and cathartic experience - knowing that you will be providing for and making things that much easier for your loved ones.”

Will Aid is an annual campaign which happens each November. It is a special partnership between the legal profession and nine of the UK's best-loved charities: Actionaid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, SCIAF, Sightsavers and Trocaire. The campaign raises vital funds while ensuring that people in the UK gain the reassurance of knowing they have a professionally written will.

Solicitors waive their usual fee for will writing in place of an invitation to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid and the proceeds are split between the nine charities. The suggested donation for a basic Will Aid will is £95 for a single will and £150 for a pair of mirror wills.

In 2017, Will Aid raised more than £1 millon for its charity partners. People who wish to make their will during Will Aid month can use Will Aid's postcode search engineto find a solicitor near you. Some solicitors can get oversubscribed, so book an appointment now via willaid.org.ukor by calling 0300 0309 558.