Make your will for FREE

Railway Mission and Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), supported by the Retired Rail Officers Society (RROS), are excited to bring our wonderful railway family the opportunity to write a will, free of charge.

We are pleased to announce we have extended our FREE will writing service for a year after over 1,000 people used the service in March.

 “We are delighted to be partnering with Railway Mission for Make a Will Month. After the last few years in particular, we can appreciate the importance of having an up-to-date will to protect our loved ones when we are not around, and to ensure our affairs are dealt with in the way we choose.” Claire Houghton, CEO of Railway Benefit Fund

Railway Mission and RBF have partnered with will writing specialists Bequeathed, to give people working in rail and their families the chance to write or update a will for FREE.

When is Make a Free Will Month?

Our free-will writing service has been extended for 11 months, following a very successful 'FREE Will Month' in March. You now have a chance to make your free will and ensure your wishes are recorded until February 2023.

Why is making a will so important?

Writing a will is the only way to ensure your final wishes for your estate are fulfilled. It is a chance to remember people and causes you care about in life. A clearly written will also avoid unnecessary confusion and stress for loved ones at an already difficult time.

Research gathered by the insurance company Royal London has found that 54% of UK adults don’t have a will, and 5.4 million people have no idea how to make one.

If you die without making a will, your estate will be divided based on laws out of your control and your wishes may not be carried out. But if you have made a will, or amended an existing one using the proper processes, then you are in control of what happens when you are no longer here.

That's why Railway Mission and RBF will cover the cost of writing or amending a simple will for rail workers and their families.

You are under no obligation to include Railway Mission or RBF in your will. However, once you have provided for those closest to you we hope you will take the opportunity to consider helping us. A gift in your will, such as a donation, or a percentage of your estate ensures we can continue to support the Railway Family.

Clifford Perry of the RROS highlighted the importance of writing a will, “Leaving a will is part of relieving the practical impact of our passing on those around us, giving those with the responsibility clear guidance on important issues such as the funeral.  It helps avoid discussions that take place in a time of grief and other emotions, discussions that can damage long-term and close relationships. It is also an opportunity to direct some funds to those charities that reflect our life interests. 

The Retired Railway Officer’s Society members were unanimous in the vote to support the Railway Mission and Railway Benefit Fund in reaching the whole industry with the Free Wills Month. The RROS chose to work with the Railway Mission and RBF as these charities focus on the well-being of those who work on our railway now, and we could not think of a more appropriate cause!”

 How do I write my free will?

We have teamed up with the will writing service, Bequeathed, so you will have the option to write your will online or over the phone.

Both services will provide a consultation with a solicitor to finalise your will and these appointments can be selected at your convenience. An email address will be required for verification. 

Who can write a free will?

Anybody in the Rail Industry and their friends and family can take part and make their will.

Are there any costs involved?

The majority of wills are defined as simple and will be totally free.

However, if the solicitor advises that your will is more complicated, you will have the option to pay the solicitor for the extra work. Should this be the case, it is of course your decision whether to proceed with this service.

There will be an option to make a donation to Railway Mission and RBF once you have finished writing your will, however, just like leaving a legacy gift in your will, there is no obligation to do so. 

We are so very grateful for any gift, large or small. Your generous support means that we are able to be there for the Railway Family when they need us.