Nightingale House Hospice is sending a big thank you to all its lottery members for their incredible support over the last 25 years, especially during the challenging times of the last seventeen months. Last year the Hospice lottery raised over £500,000 towards providing specialist palliative care services for patients and their families.
Lockdown meant the closure of the Hospice shops and cafés and the usual ways of fundraising were not possible. The revenue generated by the lottery became a lifeline and a vital source of regular income.
The first Nightingale House lottery draw was in April 1996 and 499 members from that draw are still playing today. Many other members have been playing for over 20 years. Ann and Ray Ledsham are two of the original members. Ann tells us why they still play:
“We are delighted to have been involved with the Hospice lottery since it began 25 years ago. My husband and I both joined as we wanted to help in any way we could, and the lottery seemed a great way of supporting on a regular basis. My parents also joined at the same time and my mother is still a member at the age of 92. We know that the income from the lottery is more important now than ever.
The Hospice cared for four very dear friends of ours who received the most wonderful care. When we visited, straight away you could feel the warm and caring atmosphere. It is such a positive place which made such a difference to the last weeks of their lives. We also know the incredible support they give to families. They care for and support the whole family as well as the patients. It is why we have continued to play for so many years, knowing that Nightingale House is so important to so many people in Wrexham.
We’ve been lucky enough to have two wins playing the Hospice lottery. Our first win was used for a holiday and the second is ear marked for a new patio. We would encourage everybody to join the lottery and support the Hospice.”
Tracey Price, Lottery Manager at Nightingale House Hospice said:
“We’d like to send a big heartfelt thank you to the 15,000 lottery players who support the Hospice every week. Thank you for being part of something amazing. The income the lottery generates is more important now than ever. We want to lay the foundations for the next 25 years and build the lottery to ensure that we can continue to care for more patients and their families in the years ahead, but this requires new members.
Joining the lottery is one of the easiest ways you can support the Hospice. Each week you could be in with a chance of winning the jackpot prize of £2,500. Your £1 a week could do so much. New members of the lottery and the ongoing support from our players is one of the most valuable ways of supporting us.”
