Hospice lottery win came at the perfect time for Buckshaw Village family

Becoming a mum brought a change of luck for Jacqueline Gibirdi who landed the £2,000 weekly jackpot at St Catherine’s Hospice.

The timing was perfect with Jacqueline’s maternity pay about to run out from her job as a teacher at Balshaw Lane Primary School in Euxton.

Jacqueline said: “I’ve never won anything in my life – not even a box of chocolates in a raffle so it was a lovely surprise to win the hospice lottery.

“We nipped round to my parents for a brew in the garden and on the way I said to my husband Chris that we could do with winning the lottery, especially as my maternity leave was coming up to an end.

“When we got there my mum Sue gave me the letter which said I’d won and I couldn’t believe it.”

Nine-month-old son George was treated to new toys while the couple enjoyed a weekend break in Yorkshire and are planning a nice meal out.

Jacqueline, from Buckshaw Village, said: “We’ve been stuck in during lockdown so it was nice to get away and the winnings give us a financial buffer before I go back to school in September.

“We like to support the hospice because it’s a great place and provides wonderful care for so many people. We know friends who’ve been treated there and have helped out at fundraising events in the past.

“It’s been a hard time for the hospice which had to cancel its usual fundraising events because of the pandemic. We also like to go to The Mill cafe to meet friends for lunch, or a coffee and cake, and it’s nice to hear that it’s open again.”

Husband Chris has now signed up for the lottery which costs £1 a week to join. Weekly cash prizes can be won in addition to the £2,000 jackpot and a rollover can reach £5,000.

St Catherine’s was the first hospice in the country to launch a lottery in 1993. The care of one in 10 of its patients is funded by lottery income.

* To join via direct debit or standing order please click here or call 01772 695298. Door-to-door collections are currently unavailable.

Share with your friends!