Lucky Barbara is Dr Kershaw's lottery draw star prize winner

The year 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice Lottery, and to celebrate with their community they launched an extra special prize draw.

The star prize was a £10,000 luxury Nordic cruise generously donated to the Hospice, with the help and support of Freedom Travel in Uppermill.

This prize also included return travel to London, with an overnight stay prior to boarding kindly donated by Freedom Travel and £500 spending money.

The lucky winner of the star prize was long-time Hospice lottery supporter Barbara Whitehead, from Oldham.

Barbara signed up to Dr Kershaw’s Lottery in 2008 and hadn’t struck lucky, until now!

Barbara said: “When I entered the draw I thought, ooh, that cruise would be rather nice, but I never dreamed I’d be a winner.

"I couldn’t believe it, I was ecstatic!

"My friend’s husband died at Dr Kershaw’s over 15 years ago and I signed up for the lottery then.

"In that time, I’ve done sponsored walks for the Hospice and it’s a local charity close to my heart.”

Barbara and her guest, daughter Louise, departed on the 15-day Northern Lights expedition cruise in November, travelling up to Tromso in the Arctic Circle.

They cruised along the Norwegian Fjords, visited charming towns and cities, exploring with escorted expeditions along the way, up close and in comfort aboard MS Maud.

Upon her return, Barbara  said: “I took my daughter and we had an amazing time, it was her dream trip and we’d have never been able to do it.

"We saw whales swimming in the sea, we took a trip on the arctic train, we saw the Northern lights, we had blizzards and sunshine, and the scenery was breath-taking!

"The cruise company were fantastic, each day was exciting and the crew were extra special.

"My highlight of the trip was when we visited a little bay in Rødøya, there was a campfire on the beach and the villagers came out to welcome us with snacks and hot chocolate.

"The beach was full of snow with footprints of an arctic fox.

"I had one foot in the snow and one foot in the sea, the water was so clear I could see the starfish around my foot.

"Thank you to Dr Kershaw’s and Freedom Travel for providing such a wonderful experience - it was an amazing trip.”

The second prize winner of £5,000 was Peter Burke from Chadderton.

Peter was thrilled with his prize and booked a holiday.

He said: “The call came out of the blue and I was delighted, I’ve been supporting the Dr Kershaw’s Lottery for over three years and this is my first win.”

All funds raised from the anniversary draw went directly to Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and each ticket purchased contributed to providing vital care and support for their patients and their loved ones.

Joanne Penketh, Head of Lottery and Donor Stewardship at Dr Kershaw’s, added: “Since our first draw back in October 2003, our lottery supporters have generated over £5 million for patient care.

"What a staggering amount of money!

"With your help, we can continue to be there for people living with life limiting illness in these difficult times.

"Thank you to everyone who entered the draw, you helped generate an overwhelming £36,288 for the Hospice, which has effectively paid for three full days of hospice care.

"On behalf of all our patients and their families, thank you for making a difference.”

To sign up for Dr Kershaw’s weekly draw, call the Hospice’s lottery team on 0161 624 9213 or email: lottery@drkh.org.uk to find out more.

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