A DORSET law firm has received recognition for helping to support a cancer research charity – by raising an amazing £500,000.

Blanchards Bailey LLP has been given a silver award certificate after spending the last 20 years helping Cancer Research UK.

The firm, which has office sin Dorchester and Weymouth, helped facilitate more than half-a-million pounds in gifts to the charity from people's wills and offered advice about granting legacy gifts. The award was presented to Senior Associate Emma Needham.

Emma, who is a specialist in wills and estate planning, said: "It is so rewarding to be able to support such a worthwhile charity and help raise funds for an incredibly important cause.

"However, I must specifically praise our many clients whose generosity towards the charity has seen such a huge amount of cash generated.

"I would also like to make a plea that everyone should update their wills on a regular basis to take changes in circumstances and legislation into account."

Cancer Research UK aims to increase the rate of adult cancer survival to three out of every four people by 2034. More than one third of its funding for research now comes from gifts in wills.

The organisation, which helps research into cancer research, receives no funding from the UK government.

Clare Moore, Director of Legacies at Cancer Research UK, said: "We’re so grateful to Blanchards Bailey for supporting Cancer Research UK in our will writing partnership.

The generosity of people using the service every year makes a huge impact to our research. It’s quite astonishing to think that by simply combining enthusiasm with the highest professional standards Blanchards Bailey has helped secure more than £500,000 in legacy gifts.

"These gifts will go a long way to helping our scientists, doctors and nurses to beat cancer sooner."

Blanchards Bailey is a Legal 500 firm, and has won awards including the 2019 Dorset Legal Awards: Law Firm of the Year (up to 99 employees), Company Commercial Team of the Year and Private Client Team of the Year.

It is based in Blandford and also has additional offices in Poundbury, Shaftesbury and Weymouth.