LOTTERY winners from the region have helped patients and staff at a hospice get into the festive spirit.
Six Lottery winners arrived at St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth, Newcastle, in a traditional double-decker bus to deliver gifts and toys as part of the Winner Wonderland Tour.
Among the millionaires who handed out items including flat screen TVs, a Scalextric set and food hampers for staff were Paul and Sue Watson, from Darlington, who won nearly £1.2m in 2007.
After winning the prize, the pair promised to keep running their greengrocer’s business in Cockerton.
The Winner Wonderland tour, which started in Glasgow on Monday, has been visiting charities on a 1,000-mile trip that involved more than 60 Lottery winners.
Mr Watson said: “I was really lucky with my win and I never take for granted how fortunate I am.
“When I heard about the Winner Wonderland bus, I was delighted to get involved.
“The staff at St Oswald’s Hospice do great work and I hope the gifts will lift everyone’s spirits this Christmas.”
The North-East winners at St Oswald’s also included Elaine Thompson, originally from Wallsend, North Tyneside, who won £2.7m, Norma and Michael Eggleston, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, who also won £2.7m and Marion Richardson, from Gateshead, who won £16.7m.
Chris Jackson, from St Oswald’s Children’s Service, welcomed the winners to the hospice and accepted the gifts on behalf of the residents and staff. He said: “It was great to join National Lottery winners from the area aboard the Winner Wonderland bus and we are really grateful for their generous donations.
“St Oswald’s relies heavily on the support of the local community, and the delivery of gifts today will help to put a smile on everyone’s faces this Christmas.”
St Oswald’s Hospice is a purpose-built facility in Gosforth that provides specialist care for adults, young people and children with life-limiting conditions across the North- East. The team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, chaplain support and complementary therapists.
It costs £8.5m a year to run, of which £6.5m must be raised through voluntary donations.
Earlier this year, St Oswald’s Hospice received a £125,717 Lottery grant.
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