A subscription to the St Giles Hospice lottery became the gift that keeps on giving for Brian Storer when he won £1,000 in the charity’s weekly draw.

Brian, a dedicated charity fundraiser who has supported the hospice for more than 20 years, said he was absolutely delighted to learn he had won.

He said: “I knew the hospice had been trying to call me but we kept missing each other and then the postman said he had a letter for me from St Giles. I was shocked to open the envelope and find a cheque for £1,000 in there. It was a wonderful surprise to win the lottery and the first I heard about it was when I got a cheque through the post! I’ll be splitting my winnings between St Giles Hospice and the children’s ward at Queen’s Hospital Burton.”

Brian, aged 75, from Swadlincote, has played the hospice lottery since a friend bought him a subscription for his birthday after he asked her to make a donation to the hospice instead of buying him a present. “It was such a nice present and it was a lovely surprise to be told I had won,” he added. 

“You don’t play the hospice lottery to win it, you play it to support St Giles and make a difference to the lives of the people who need their care, and I think buying a hospice lottery ticket as a gift is a wonderful idea.”

Brian’s son Martin was admitted to St Giles Hospice for end of life care in 2018. He had been waiting for a triple heart bypass but had become too unwell to undergo the operation and was told by doctors that there was nothing further that they could do.

“Martin was in St Giles for four days and his wife Kelly and I stayed with him 24 hours a day until he passed away,” Brian added. “He received brilliant care at St Giles – we could see how well he was looked after and we were just so grateful. 

“The staff looked after both of us as well, making sure that we felt welcome and explaining what was happening. We never felt under any pressure or that we were a burden or getting in the way, and they gave us bereavement support afterwards.

“The facilities at St Giles are amazing – the rooms are first class. You really couldn’t ask for better.

Brian’s friend said that she and her husband had known Brian for a long time and that as they had all been involved with charity fundraising, a gift subscription seemed like the ideal present.

She said: “I have known so many local people who have benefited from the care and support of St Giles – not only patients but their families too. Gifting a charity lottery subscription is a wonderful way to support St Giles.

“We know that Brian’s son was cared for at St Giles and that the hospice is a cause that is close to his heart, so this gift provided a very appropriate present which he was happy to receive. We never dreamed that Brian would win £1,000 so we are absolutely delighted to hear about his good fortune. It’s a lovely surprise!”

Alison Jerram, Individual Giving Manager at St Giles Hospice, said: “We’d like to congratulate Brian on his wonderful lottery win and thank him for his incredible generosity in making a donation back to the hospice.

“Gifting a lottery subscription is a lovely way to support St Giles Hospice as the lottery plays a vital role in funding our work. Over the past 25 years the lottery has raised £20 million to help pay for our work caring for patients, and their families, who are living with a terminal illness.

“As only around a third of our income comes from Government, St Giles Hospice relies upon donations and fundraising to raise the majority of £850,000 we need each month to fund our care services.”

A lottery gift could be the perfect Christmas present, giving your friends and family the chance to win £1,000 every week in addition to exclusive savings at local businesses with the Promise Card. Lottery gifts are available from just £10 and every subscription helps fund care for local people, and their families, living with a terminal illness.  

For more information about St Giles Hospice lottery gifts, visit: www.stgileshospice.com/lottery-gifts/