St Catherine’s Hospice is celebrating its 25th anniversary since launching the country’s very first hospice lottery.

The ground breaking initiative was first introduced to the UK by the Lostock Hall Hospice in February 1993.

Since then, it has remained as one of the most reliable means of fundraising for the charity, with 17,000+ members helping to raise over £500,000 every year.

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The fundraising helps to contribute to the £3.5m the charity has to raise annually to cover their £5.2m running costs.

Sheila Kennard, Head of lottery and promotions at St Catherine’s Hospice, said:

“I started out as a lottery collector for St Catherine’s in 1994 and came into the promotions department four years later.

“I’ve witnessed the lottery scheme grow over the years, and we have some members who have been supporters since day one, which is amazing.

“It was an ambitious move for the hospice to be the first in the UK to launch a lottery initiative, and it continues to be a vital means of generating funds for the charity.

“The lottery has raised a staggering £10.2million for St Catherine’s since its inception, which is something we’re very proud of.

“Knowing we have thousands of supporters who pay their £1 a week really helps in planning for the future at St Catherine’s; it’s a reliable and steady stream of income which is more important to the charity than ever, as the world of fundraising is increasingly unpredictable.”

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To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the lottery team is hoping to recruit an extra 2,500 new members in 2018.

The lottery costs £1 a week to play, with a jackpot prize of £2,000 up for grabs each Friday.

Sheila continued: “We’re so grateful to all of our wonderful members, and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their ongoing support.

“We’re calling on our communities to help us celebrate this special milestone by telling their friends and family about this worthwhile and very easy way of supporting St Catherine’s Hospice.

“It would be fantastic if we could welcome 2,500 new members throughout 2018, to mark the lottery’s 25th anniversary year.”

The weekly draw also includes more than 30 other cash prizes, including a third prize of £150 which rolls over each week it’s not run and can reach up to £5,100.

Members can have more than one number, and gift vouchers and wedding favours are also available.

To sign up to St Catherine’s Hospice lottery, you can visit the website or call 01772 629171.

Do you know St Catherine’s Hospice? Have you played the charity’s lottery? Let us know in the comments below