Hospice’s fundraising lottery celebrates 32 years of vital support

ST Luke’s Hospice is celebrating the life-changing impact of its weekly lottery.

Based in Winsford, the hospice is highlighting how the lottery helps fund patient care and vital services during its celebrations this May.

Now in its 32nd year, the lottery has become the largest single source of income for St Luke’s and currently funds care for one in every five patients.

Nicola Mainwaring, lottery manager at St Luke’s Hospice, said: “St Luke’s Lottery isn’t just about the chance to win.

“It’s a way of supporting local hospice care, week after week, so that we can deliver our services 365 days a year.”

Hospice funding has been a topic of national discussion, with calls for fairer and more sustainable financial support from the Government as pressures mount in the sector.

St Luke’s currently receives just 14 per cent of its funding from the Government, relying on donations and fundraising, including the lottery, to fund the vast majority of its care.

Ms Mainwaring said: “Every day, we see the difference our care makes to patients and their families.

“We also know that as demand for our services continues to rise, the financial pressures facing hospices like ours are growing too.

“That is why our lottery matters more than ever.”

Supporters like Debbie Bennett from Moulton play the lottery as a way of giving back.

Debbie Bennett (Image: St Luke’s Hospice)

Ms Bennett was moved by the care her father received at the hospice during his final days and was thrilled to learn she had won the £1,000 jackpot last year.

She said: “My dad spent the last two weeks of his life in the hospice and the care that he received during that time was fabulous.

“They are an amazing team and everyone does that bit extra to help patients and families, for us, through our darkest time.

“I can’t thank St Luke’s enough and the lottery is a small way I can make a difference.”

As part of its campaign, St Luke’s is encouraging more people to sign up and help sustain its work.

Ms Mainwaring said: “If you are interested in joining for just £5 a month, then you will be supporting your local hospice whilst having a great chance of winning big cash prizes every week – it’s a win-win.”

The lottery offers 35 weekly cash prizes, including a guaranteed £1,000 jackpot and a rollover of up to £5,000.

For more information about the hospice or the lottery, visit slhospice.co.uk.