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Write or update your Will for free

Writing a Will is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. It ensures that your money and belongings will go to the people and causes you care about most.

It’s a task that can sometimes be tempting to put off but if you're over 18 years old and have any assets or dependents, then it's worth considering.

You might be concerned that it'll be complicated, upsetting or expensive. Our resources can guide you through the process and enable you to write a simple, legally binding Will for free.

With this job ticked off your list, you can feel confident that your wishes are clear and your loved ones will be provided for.

How can we help you with making your Will

On this page, you can find our free guide to leaving a gift in your Will to charity, created to make the whole process as easy as possible. You can also find out about our free Will-writing service (available both online and in person).

There's no obligation to leave a gift in your Will to St John Ambulance if you use either of these services, but we would be incredibly grateful if you choose to do so.

1. Receive our free guide

If you aren’t sure where to start with including a gift in your Will, our free guide can put you on the right track. You can request a PDF of the guide by email or a paper copy delivered by post. 

Inside you’ll find:

  • more information about our free Will-writing services and the support available to you

  • practical guidance on how to write or update your Will and other things to consider. For example, how leaving a gift affects Inheritance Tax

  • details on how leaving a gift to St John Ambulance can make a lasting difference

  • specific wording you'll need to include a gift to St John Ambulance in your Will. 

2. Use our free Will-writing service

We work with two trusted partners to offer you the chance to write a simple Will for free. Depending on what suits you best, you can either meet a local solicitor in person or use an online service. You also have the option to pay for a more detailed Will, if necessary. Choose the best approach for you:

Face-to-face with a solicitor near you

Our partners at the National Free Wills Network will provide a list of participating solicitors near you to choose from. Simply arrange a face-to-face appointment with them at a time that suits you.


Online, from the comfort of home

The experts at MyIntent offer you a convenient way to write your Will online, with detailed guidance and professional legal advice included.

National Free Wills Network and MyIntent logos.

The benefits of leaving a gift in your Will to charity

  1. Make a difference - after remembering loved ones in your Will, it can feel wonderful to know that your savings will have a positive impact in the future.

  2. Tax benefits - when you leave a gift in your Will to charity, its value will be taken off the value of your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated. Donating more than 10% of your estate may further reduce your Inheritance Tax liability. We recommend speaking to a financial advisor for more information and guidance.

  3. Let your values live on - if you’ve spent your life feeling passionate about a cause, leaving a gift to a favourite charity can help you ensure your interests and legacy will continue through their work.

  4. Provide vital support - almost a third of our charitable funding comes from gifts in Wills. Every gift helps us plan for the future with confidence and put the power of first aid into more hands.

How do I leave a gift to St John Ambulance?

We're very grateful that you're considering supporting our mission in this special way. Simply follow our step-by-step instructions to leave a gift in your Will.

How we use gifts in Wills

St John Ambulance work to put the power of first aid in everyone’s hands. We train and equip first aiders, teach the public about how to save lives in a crisis, and much more.

In 2025, our trained volunteers provided more than 41,000 episodes of first aid care to people across England. By the end of 2028, we're aiming to support over 70,000 patients every year, at events, in communities, and during crises. All of this is possible only through your donations and support.

Including an unrestricted gift (one without conditions) allows your gift to be used where the need is greatest when the time comes.

If you would like your gift to be spent in a specific way, please contact our Legacy Giving team to discuss the different options available. Email us at legacy@sja.org.uk or call +44 020 7324 4148.

A First Aider kneeling on the ground looking at something on the floor. They are putting on blue medical gloves. There are two other First Aiders kneeling in front of them. In the background, there is an ambulance and another person standing wearing a high-vis vest.

Your legacy trains lifesavers like Laura

Laura hadn't even planned to be at the cricket club that day. But when a player collapsed and stopped breathing, she knew she had to act fast.

'I didn't want anyone to lose their dad the way I'd lost mine.'

Thanks to her St John Ambulance training, Laura performed CPR for more than 20 minutes and used a defibrillator to help keep Hussain alive until emergency services arrived.

With your gift, we could put the power of first aid in more people's hands.

What we achieve with your support

Find out where your money goes and how we can help people

Contact us

If you have questions about Wills and legacies, or if you would like to tell us about a gift, you can speak to our Legacy Giving team by calling +44 020 7324 4148 or emailing legacy@sja.org.uk.

You can also write to us at Legacy Giving Team, St John Ambulance, 27 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4BU.