Why We Play & Winner Stories

Patrick said: “I’ve no idea what I’ll spend the money on – maybe my garden as I’ve been waiting to get it done for such a long time now. I love to go to the cricket and have a Sunderland season ticket too so it’s good to know the expense for that is covered going forward. It’s nice to have some luck come my way, unfortunately I couldn’t go to the Sunderland final in Wembley last month due to illness, but as it happens the bus broke down on the way!”

“I signed up to the Win Win Lottery as I know of the good work the Hospice do in County Durham. It’s only £10 a month but it all goes to such a good cause. I never expected to win. I’ll keep playing and supporting them too even though I’ve won I know how much difference my contribution each month can make.”

Over 1,000 people play the Win Win Lottery each month with the chance of winning a daily prize of £100, a monthly prize of £1,000 or up to £25,000 in the event of a rollover. The lottery was launched in 2020 to help raise additional funds for the Hospice and has to date raised £217,920.

Stephen Burke, Lottery Sales Coordinator, said: “It was a huge pleasure to ring Patrick to tell him the news. He couldn’t believe it at first. Players like Patrick really do help to create a lifeline for the people in County Durham who rely on us as what can often be a really difficult time. We’re grateful to all in our community who continue to support us in any way they can from donating to our shops, volunteering at our events or by making their play count and joining our Win Win Lottery.”

To find out more about the Win Win Lottery visit our webpage or call 0191 386 1170.

“I’m not 100% sure what I’ll spend my winnings on, although I do know that I’ll be giving something back to St Cuthbert’s Hospice and making donations to other charities I support.”

To find out more about the Win Win Lottery visit our webpage or call 0191 386 1170.

Kevin added: “I signed up to the Win Win Lottery as soon as I heard about it. My Mam Milly has been cared for by the Hospice for years and years as she needs support following a tumour on her spine. She’s stayed on their In-Patient Unit for respite care a number of times, has had physio to help her walk again and she usually attends their Living Well Centre for day care. Though with the pandemic she’s been unable to go and has been supported by phone instead. She’s enjoyed the calls to check in with her.

"For a tenner a month, and knowing all the benefits that St Cuthbert’s give people in the area, it was a no brainer for me to join.”

The call to Kevin was made by Nurse Julie Brown. Julie said: “It was a real privilege to make the call and share such wonderful news. It’s because of the support we get from people in our community that we're able to care the way that we do. Knowing that the winner has a strong connection with the Hospice is just the icing on the cake for me. I'm smiling from ear to ear, and I know the winner is too!"

Over 1,000 players make their play count by taking part in the Win Win Lottery each month and have helped to raise over £88,500 for the Hospice with the funds going towards patient care.

Dad received amazing care for six weeks before he sadly passed away. I can honestly say that the nurses are angels. They were so caring towards not only my dad but the whole family.

Earlier this year, my uncle also required palliative care. Due to our previous experience with my dad, there was no hesitation to allow St Cuthbert’s to care for my uncle. Once again, the nurses treated my family with such care and compassion.

I actually received the call from the Win Win Lottery on the anniversary of my dad arriving at the Hospice. It was a nice surprise to hear I’d won £100! I’ve decided to do something special with my winnings and add a plaque to the memorial seat we have for my dad. We keep this at our holiday home and it’s in the perfect spot to look out over the Pennines and remember my wonderful dad!”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Christine for supporting St Cuthbert’s Hospice Win Win Lottery. We are delighted that you get to spend your winnings on something so meaningful.

"I knew of St Cuthbert’s with living locally and I’d heard a little about it through Bramble’s Coffee Shop too, but it wasn’t until I had experience of using the services that I realised what an impact the Hospice really does have on local families.
I was really shocked when I received the call saying I was the £100 winner! It couldn’t have been timed any better being so close to Christmas”.
We would like to thank Donna and her family for sharing this beautiful photo of Pamela and continuing to support the Hospice. We hope you manage to treat yourself to something lovely with your winnings!

Sadly, working in cancer support, I see the need for these services everyday. By signing up to the Lottery, you are helping to ensure that people in the community get the care they need. You also have the chance to win amazing prizes, so it is definitely a win-win for everyone!
I was delighted to receive the call letting me know that I was the lucky November jackpot winner! I plan on treating my children and putting a little aside to treat myself."

We would like to say a huge thank you to Carolyn for not only supporting the Hospice, but the amazing work she does for her patients every day. You definitely deserve to treat yourself to something special!

My Auntie spent her finally few months with us under the phenomenal care of the team at St Cuthbert’s. The love and care they provided to my Auntie to ensure she was as comfortable and peaceful as possible will stay with our family forever and something we will be forever thankful for. Me and my Auntie joked and said it was more like a hotel than a hospice due to the whole organisation going above and beyond in every aspect.

Words will never come close to being able to thank St Cuthbert’s for what they did for my Auntie, but by playing the Win Win Lottery it’s a very small ongoing way we can support the next family whom will sadly need to use the facility for the special care they provide."

We would like to thank James these lovely words and ongoing support to St Cuthbert's Hospice.

Here, Kelly explains her reasons for joining the Win Win Lottery and how she felt after receiving the news from the Lottery Team.

“I have been a huge supporter of St Cuthbert’s Hospice for almost 10 years when my mam, Sheila Walton, received great care as a patient. I am a member of ‘The Lambton Ladies’ and we have taken part in fundraising events for many years in memory of our loved ones, with many being cared for at St Cuthbert’s. For this reason, as soon as I heard that the Hospice was launching the Win Win Lottery, I was one of the first to sign up. To know that I was helping the Hospice to fund ongoing care in our community was extremely important to me – and the chance of winning a prize every weekday was an added bonus!

When I received the call informing me that I was the September jackpot winner, I was completely speechless! When you sign up for these things you never really expect to win and considering I haven’t won anything like this in the past, it just didn’t cross my mind. It took me a couple of days to process this amazing news and I’ve now decided that I am going to treat my family to our first ever holiday abroad. This will be extra special as my son is getting older and I’m not sure how much longer he would want to join in with a family holiday, so we are planning this for next year.

I will continue to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice in any way that I can, as it does really hold a special place in my heart. I would urge anyone who hasn’t already, to sign up to the Win Win Lottery and you never know, you could be the next lucky winner receiving the same phone call I did!”

Kelly has been kind enough to share a beautiful photo in memory of her mam, Sheila. Thank you Kelly for playing and congratulations on being our first jackpot winner and scooping up a huge £8,500!

I have joined in memory of my wonderful friend Wendy Charlton. What a great way to help the Hospice and also have a chance to win some cash! The Hospice is in need of funds to keep up their wonderful services - please join if you can as you will be helping them so much”.

We are extremely grateful to Karen for the continued support she is giving us by signing up to the Win Win Lottery.

Shaun knew that he wanted to carry on helping the Hospice in any way that he could, as he may need to use the services in the future. I am also looking to volunteer at the Hospice after seeing the support that patient’s families receive during such difficult times”.

We are extremely grateful to Tracy for her amazing efforts in supporting St Cuthbert's Hospice in the past and also for the continued support she is giving us by signing up to the Win Win Lottery.

"My partner Matthew and I are getting married in June 2021 in the Fig House at Middleton Lodge, so the money will help go towards our wedding."

Thank you Laura for playing and everyone at St Cuthbert's would like to wish you both all the very best for your wedding day

She said: "I had originally heard about the Lottery through Facebook and although I haven't had any previous experience with the Hospice, I thought it was a great way to support a local charity with the extra bonus of maybe winning a prize.

"I hadn't been playing too long which is why I was surprised to get the call from Christine letting me know that I had won £100! It was perfectly timed as I was on holiday visiting friends and I was able to treat us all to a lovely meal. I even had a little left over so booked myself in for a manicure while I was there."

We are delighted that Katherine got to use her winnings on treating herself and friends to something special and we would like to say a huge thank you for supporting the Win Win Lottery.

"I am very aware of what the Hospice does for the local community due to volunteering at the Langley Moor charity shop over the last three years.
I received the call to say I had won just a couple of days before heading on holiday to the Lakes, so it really was a lovely surprise. I haven’t actually spent the money yet but I’m planning on treating myself to something I can keep, maybe some nice jewellery.”
Kath has been kind enough to share with us a wonderful photo with her dog Olley, who looks like he’s having a lot of fun at the Lakes!
We would like to say a huge thank you to Kath for not only playing the Win Win Lottery, but the time she dedicates to the Hospice by volunteering for us. Enjoy your winnings Kath!

As soon as restrictions started to ease, Christine arranged to have a barbeque for all the family including her son, daughters and grandchildren. “The call from the Hospice telling me that I had won £100 was perfectly timed - we were able to make our family barbeque even more special and buy some extras that we wouldn’t usually. This was only the second time we were able to have all our children and grandchildren back home together, so the memories made will be cherished forever.”
Christine didn’t hesitate to sign up to the Win Win Lottery when she first heard about it. “I have worked in the care sector for 40 years, caring for patients with dementia and other life-limiting illnesses so I know all too well how much support is needed in this area and just how vital hospice care is.”.
We are delighted that the winnings from the Lottery have been used for something so meaningful for the whole family. Thank you Christine for continuing to support the Hospice and sharing this lovely story with us 💚.

Ian is also a volunteer gardener and has been working to keep our grounds looking incredible for over 6 years. He has decided to donate his winnings to 'Project Greenhouse' to help his fellow volunteer gardeners to purchase a new greenhouse for the Hospice, providing the extra space needed to grow plants all year round.
We are extremely lucky to have such amazing volunteers who are always willing to go above and beyond!

Linda said: “I’m extremely proud of the team I work with. We are an open, friendly bunch and all have a common interest in gardening and helping the Hospice in any way we can. This is one of the reasons I signed up to the Win Win Lottery and why I have decided to donate my winnings back. I understand how difficult times are at the moment for fundraising and the need for people to sign up to the Lottery is greater than ever.”
Whether you are donating your time or money, or as in Linda’s case both, now - more than ever - your support means the world to us 💚