A pensioner who used to hit the high notes as a singer at St Giles Hospice has now hit the jackpot with a £1,000 win in the charity’s weekly lottery draw.
Mr John Purcocks, aged 80, a retired surveyor from Streetly, volunteered to sing for St Giles Day Hospice patients in Whittington around 12 years ago after his close friend was cared for there.
Although his health meant he had to give up entertaining a few years ago, John has continued to support the hospice ever since and has vowed to continue playing the lottery for as long as he can.
“I’ve played the lottery for many years and I’ve had a few small wins, but I’ve always passed the money back,” said John, whose partner Hazel died three years ago. “I was flabbergasted when they told me I’d won £1,000. In fact, I thought it was a scam but it wasn’t, it was a brilliant surprise.”
John decided to use the winnings to visit his sisters in Shrewsbury and East Grinstead.
“I don’t see them very often and I live on my own so it was really wonderful to get together,” he said. “It was great to go back and see everyone at St Giles too when I called in to collect my winnings.
“It’s such a fantastic, caring place with such friendly staff. I started singing at St Giles after my friend died of cancer. They looked after him so well that I wanted to do something to help so when I was asked to entertain patients in the Day Hospice I jumped at the chance. I can’t sing now but I still play the lottery every week and support their events when I can.”
St Giles Lottery Manager, Alison Jerram, said: “It was lovely to meet John and hear all about his time volunteering with us. We’re so grateful to everyone who buys tickets.
“Every single ticket sold helps us to care for people in the community living with a potentially terminal illness so the support of people like John really does mean the world to us.”
For just £1 players have the chance to win a weekly jackpot of £1,000 and up to £20,000 in a rollover draw.
To find out more or to join the lottery visit: www.stgileshospice.com/lottery/
