Charitable donations in wills have increased by 81% during Covid-19 lockdown, according to latest figures from Co-op legal services.

The legal services provider says that over the last year charitable donations in wills have increased by 56%, with the sharpest rise during lockdown.

Between 23 March and 30 June Co-op Legal Services recorded an 81% rise in legacy gifting, compared with the same period last year.

Gifts to cancer charities continue to the be most common legacies. These have also increased markedly, by 77% during lockdown.

Another area of increase is to local causes, which are now the second most common type of charitable gifts the provider is seeing being left.

Co-op Legal Services head of wills James Antoniou said: "It's moving to see that at such a difficult time for so many, people are still including gifts to charities within their wills. Interestingly, in addition to monetary gifts, we've seen some unique personal effects such as a collection of guitars and a classic red mini being left to charity through wills.

“This increase in generosity will make a huge difference to charitable causes and just shows why it's so important for people wanting to make this difference that they do put a will in place".

The figures have been released to coincide with Remember a Charity Week this month. This took place last and saw charities and solicitors link up to promote legacy gifting.

Online promotion this year features 1970s children’s TV characters The Wombles.

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