We all have a wish list of things to do in our lifetimes. Some are big, some are small, some are downright crazy. When compiling her wish list, Karen Green (Volunteer Press Officer for Marie Curie Cancer Care) an ardent Crystal Palace FC fan came up with something her team had not been able to do. She decided that she would love to hold the original FA Cup trophy! Now in the possession of West Ham United FC Chairman, David Gold, Karen contacted the local businessman to see if he could make her dreams come true. So on a glorious sunny day at the end of March she and local Legacy Advisor, Toni Denyer went along to The Chalet in Caterham to fulfil one of Karen's wishes.

Karen said: "It was fantastic to hold and touch the original trophy – I was amazed at how heavy it was. I just wish I could have tied the Crystal Palace colours to this wonderful trophy.

"In the last year of her life, I was able to share some amazing experiences with my Mother, Elsie Sands. We went on the Orient Express and on Concorde which created lasting memories. My mother was nursed by a Marie Curie nurse at home and I was so grateful to the charity for the help and support we both received. It was such a difficult time for the family and the care she received was outstanding. Sadly I never spoke to my mother about making a will and it was only after she died I found out she had not made one. I now realise how important it is to make a will and keep it updated. I would urge everyone to make a will and not put it off. You can also do something that would change more than just your life, and that's leaving a gift to Marie Curie. Of course, making a Will is the kind of thing we all put off doing – but it's really important to Marie Curie, because one in every three of our nurses is funded by people remembering us in this way."

Marie Curie Cancer Care is also promoting its free will writing scheme to people aged 55 and over in Surrey.

The Marie Curie Cancer Care Free Wills Scheme offers people the opportunity to make or amend their Will between April to July, with the option to include a gift to support the charity's work in the future. Gifts in Wills are the single largest and much valued source of voluntary funding for Marie Curie – these gifts are vital to ensure that Marie Curie Nurses can continue to provide free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes and in our hospices.

David Gold said " When Marie Curie came to me to ask if I would support the campaign I was delighted to help. Having a Will in place is so important, It gives me the peace of mind knowing that should anything happen to me, my estate will be distributed as per my wishes."

Will writing specialists will be on hand to offer advice and support under the Free Wills scheme. There is no obligation to leave a gift to the charity, however, the hope is that many will use the scheme to settle their affairs and support Marie Curie's work.

Toni Denyer, Legacy Advisor for Marie Curie, said: "We hope that this campaign will encourage people to have a will written and consider leaving a gift to Marie Curie at the same time; A will written by a solicitor is the best way to ensure that your family, friends and favourite charities will benefit exactly as you would wish. We all have a wish list of things we'd like to do in our lifetime, play football for your favourite team, meet your football Idle, but there is one thing you can do that will change people's lives and costs you nothing now - leave a gift to Marie Curie Cancer Care in your Will."

Statistics produced by the Law Society of England and Wales show that roughly two-thirds of people over 50 do not have an up-to-date will.

For more information, please call 01883 832 639