A (ten) grand day for Elaine!

Friday 13 August turned out to be a very lucky date indeed for the winner of our weekly lottery rollover prize, Elaine from South East Cornwall. It wasn’t just a grand day – it was a ten-grand day, thanks to the news that she’d scooped £10,000!

To Elaine, who is disabled and lives with her much-loved dog Leah, her bumper win feels ‘life-changing’ after so many years spent struggling just to get by. She said: “When I got the call, it came as a huge shock but a very, very good one! It is more money than I have ever had all at one time and what it has given me is priceless. I now have peace of mind, knowing I can finally afford to replace my fridge and other old appliances – doing that, and keeping some for my future, means such a huge weight off my mind.

“I’ve taken part in St Luke’s lottery since 2014 because I know how needed their care is right across the community. I’ve won £10 before but nothing prepared me for this!”

Our lottery is played by people across Plymouth and surrounding areas where we give our compassionate care, and Elaine is one of almost 2,000 supporters who prefer to take part the traditional way, paying their fee in person rather than online. There to see her receive the bumper cheque from Trish Whitefoot of our Lottery Team was Yvette Walker, the long-serving, big-hearted Lottery Collector who’s got to know Elaine over the years she has been visiting to collect her participation fee.

Elaine said: “I look forward to Yvette’s visits and it means a lot that she always makes time for a catch-up. If, like me, you can’t get out much anymore because of age or disability, it makes a big difference seeing a friendly face you know and trust.”

Yvette, who is in her 60s, joined us almost ten years ago after living in London, where she was Area Fundraising Manager for the RNIB.  Struck by the positive difference a hospice in Harrow made to her mother when she needed day care support, she was keen to become part of the team at St Luke’s, recognising the importance of our lottery in raising vital funds to help our specialist service reach more local families.

Yvette, who – like all our Lottery Collectors – is self-employed, said: “This is so much more than just a job to me and I can’t imagine stopping. It’s needed because many of our lottery players – particularly those who are older – aren’t comfortable disclosing their bank details online and want to pay by cash. It also gives me a chance to ask how they are and catch up on their news. I’ll even nip to the shop if they’re not able to get out. I’m happy to help, knowing that for many I might be the only visitor they’ll have all week.

“I am thrilled Elaine is our rollover winner because I understand what a huge difference the prize will make to her. It just shows what is possible when you keep up your support for St Luke’s week on week!”

Get involved in our weekly lottery here.