Lottery boost for hospice

18 August 2009

WESTON Hospicecare has received a timely funding boost, after more than 400 additional people subscribed to its weekly £1,000 lottery.

The Uphill-based charity, which needs £2.4million a year to carry out its role caring for terminally ill people, has boosted player numbers to more than 2,000 after relaunching the competition in June.

By guaranteeing jackpots at £1,000 a week, Hospicecare wants to make the game more appealing, and boost income during tough times.

Wendy Flowers, aged 66, bagged the £1,000 prize just two weeks after the lottery was re-launched, and is now urging people to sign up and help support the hospice.

Wendy, who is also a bereavement care volunteer at the hospice, said: "It was a complete surprise when I found out I had won the jackpot.

"Now friends of mine are asking about how they can play the lottery after seeing that I won, so I hope to be able to encourage as many people as I can to play because it is a great way to donate to the hospice.

"I am a volunteer at the hospice as well so I know how important the fundraising is."

Money raised by the lottery will help to fund the community nurse specialists who visit about 750 patients in their homes every year, to provide essential care and support.

This is in addition to the ten-bed in-patient unit at the hospice itself at Jackson Barstow House, which admitted more than 200 patients last year, and the day hospice facilities which were used by more than 75 people.

Sarah Chick, spokeswoman for Weston Hospicecare, said: "We are really pleased that so many people have signed up to play the lottery game in the past six weeks, because it is such a vital source of funding for the hospice.

"It is obviously a difficult time for everybody economically, but we really hope people can find a pound a week to support the hospice which plays such an important role in the community, and help us reach our target of 1000 new players by the time we celebrate our 20th anniversary in October."

For more details on how to sign up for the Weston Hospicecare Lottery go to www.westonhospicecare.org.uk or call 01934 423 923