A WARRINGTON couple were in a team of National Lottery winners who created moments of Christmas magic for babies and their families at Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice in Liverpool.
Dozens of knitted angels have been lovingly made by the winners who worked tirelessly at home during November’s lockdown. After being quarantined, the angels are now being handed out to children at the hospice and their siblings.
At the same time, big-hearted National Lottery winners have also bought sacks full of toys and goodies for the children and given their gingerbread-themed playhouse – built by the winners four years ago – a fresh lick of paint!
And there to deliver the goodies were John and Patricia Gill, from Warrington, who won £1M on EuroMillions in 2015.
John said, “We just wanted to do our bit to help and support.
“I joined a couple of other winners – all socially distanced – to give the playhouse a bit of a facelift.
“The joy this brings and the smiles it puts on faces is just so wonderful to see.”
The winners, who would normally be brought together by The National Lottery in the run up to Christmas to help support various charities, adapted to Covid restrictions and found a way to still give back this Christmas.
Matt Meaney, head of fundraising at Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, said, “We cannot thank the National Lottery winners enough. To think that a small group knitted so many angels during November is amazing. Every single angel delivered will make a difference.
“The gingerbread house looks incredible too – and all of the gifts which have been bought – the winners have been so generous and this means so much to each and every one of us!”
Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice, which provides free palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies aged from birth to five years suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, has previously benefited from National Lottery funding worth more than £200k. This funding was used to create a new multi-sensory light room and fund three nursing posts.
Zoë’s Place affords families the time needed to recharge their batteries, spend valuable time with their other children or have the chance to catch up on much needed sleep.
The support these winners are giving to Zoë’s Place comes as The National Lottery teams up with ITV to encourage people to volunteer in their local community. ‘Miss Out To Help Out’ is a new campaign and website where anyone in the UK can get hints and tips on how to get started as well as information on volunteering opportunities nearby from charities and organisations. For more information, visit www.missouttohelpout.com
