Page 66 • The HERALD • 28th August 2025 v THE HERALD - Proud to be part of your community v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Writing Wills - Explanatory Letters to Respect Your Wishes by Edward Kennard, Senior Associate Solicitor at Jasper Vincent Many people who make their Wills think that it is the only relevant document that represents your nal wishes. ere is always more that can be done to ensure your nal wishes are respected. In fact, a carefully considered letter written in your own words, explaining why you have made your Will a certain way can do wonders to help your wishes be respected. It is growing increasingly common to write letters that are held in secure storage alongside your Will. ey can include all sorts of things, some of the most common being directions about funeral wishes - which songs to play going in and coming out, where to scatter ashes, where to hold a wake etc. ey also almost always include a personal message to the family le behind, wishing them well and giving them advice for the future. is sort of message can go a long way on a personal level with the surviving family. Pitched right, a letter can be a huge comfort in the a ermath of a signi cant loss. But these letters can do much more than give guidance and comfort. If your Will departs from even the most basic formula, you can explain any of the changes and your reasons for them. Without an explanatory letter, your solicitor’s Will le and the notes they made at the time of instruction will o en be the only written record of your reasons. at can be quite dissatisfying for certain people who may want to know more. So where a Will is meant to be legally binding, your letter is legally persuasive. Your letter is your last real chance to explain what you felt and it can be used to help persuasively support the binding terms of your Will. It can even be le in a sealed enveloped marked “only open in the event of a Will dispute” if you feel that would be appropriate. For an initial consultation, feel free to contact our Senior Associate Solicitor Edward Kennard at Jasper Vincent’s Waterside o ce on 023 8089 0919. Free Climate Action Resilience Training for New Forest Businesses! Community Energy Pathways in partnership with New Forest District Council are o ering 3-hour online sessions facilitated by experienced Carbon Literacy Project accredited trainers. Implementing carbon net zero and climate resilience measures can help enhance your reputation, improve e ciency and increase investment opportunities. e interactive sessions include everything you need to know about calculating and reducing your carbon emissions, improving your resilience to climate impacts and o setting. Upcoming sessions. Only 50 spaces available. Register your interest now by emailing: climateliteracy@ communityenergypathways.org.uk Heartbeat raises nearly £6,000 at the Central South Business Awards 2025 Leading cardiac charity, Heartbeat, raised an impressive £5,821 at the recent Central South Business Awards event 2025 which took place at the Leonardo Royal Grand Harbour Hotel Southampton. e awards, held in association with Business South and attended by more than 350 people, celebrates businesses and individuals who go above and beyond in the Central South region. As the chosen charity partner for the event, £5,821 was raised for cardiac charity Heartbeat, who also sponsored the Community Hero Award, recognising a business that has contributed to society and made a substantial di erence to the lives of others. is year’s winner was Portsmouth-based Right at Home, which prides itself on delivering exceptional care that enhances the lives of its clients, enabling them to stay safe, well and independent in their own homes. Tanya Harder, Community Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Heartbeat, said: “The evening was a fantastic celebration that brought together outstanding businesses of all sizes, not only to enjoy a memorable event, but also to recognise the remarkable contributions they make within their industries and communities. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with Maarten and the team at Platinum Media Group, as well as Leigh-Sara and the team at Business South. Their continued support allows us the privilege of presenting the Community Hero Award, which we are looking forward to continuing for a third year in 2026. This year’s award honoured an organisation whose impact goes far beyond the boardroom, strengthening lives, uplifting communities and making a lasting difference where it matters most. Right at Home Portsmouth makes a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of those they support. In a world where loneliness can be all too common, their team consistently goes above and beyond, providing not just care, but genuine connection. Clients are treated with the warmth, respect and compassion one would expect from family, making their impact within the community truly exceptional. We are also incredibly grateful for the generosity of everyone at the awards event, which raised £5,821 for Heartbeat. Without the amazing support of our donors, we wouldn’t be able to continue the work that we do to provide the best quality cardiac care for patients and their families in the Wessex region and beyond.”
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