A MELKSHAM resident, Marilyn, has won £25,000 in the Dorothy House Local Hospice Lottery, after making a £15 donation every month since November 2018.
She discovered that she had won the jackpot after receiving the good news call from the charity’s fundraising team. She said, “I just couldn’t believe it. It was truly lovely news. I am in my 80s and I have never won anything before.”
Marilyn started playing the lottery in support of Dorothy House after the death of her husband 26 years ago. And having also seen how her friends benefited from the local charity’s hospice care, she began working for the Melksham Dorothy House furniture shop.
Head of fundraising engagement for Dorothy House, Don Kennedy, said, “I was delighted to hear about Marilyn and her amazing jackpot win. We are so thankful to all of our Local Hospice Lottery players, the contribution they make towards patient care in our community is vital and invaluable. With a bit of luck, I would love to make a few more of these calls to other lucky winners!”
When asked what Marilyn would do with the money, the team were told that she is looking forward to being able to help some of her family and friends with the winnings. During lockdown, her residents’ garden proved a vital communal space for residents to connect. Marilyn will be using some of her prize money to replace a tree in the garden so that all the residents can benefit.
To date the Dorothy House Hospice players have raised over £3 million for patient and family community care and bereavement support.
The Local Hospice Lottery was set up to provide financial support to adult and children’s hospices across Great Britain. The lottery provides regular income that Dorothy House relies upon to continue to provide outstanding palliative care.
Dorothy House Hospice Care is one of a number of hospices throughout Great Britain supported by Local Hospice Lottery. In 2020, for each £1 entry, Local Hospice Lottery gave an average of 68p to Dorothy House and they give between 55% and 80% of profits from individuals playing in support of Dorothy House Hospice Care to the charity. This is expected to be at least £2,700,000 over five years from April 2020.
For more information about Dorothy House visit https:// www.dorothyhouse.org.uk
