The first ever winner of the St Francis Hospice Lottery was announced this week, taking home a �1,000 cash prize.

Winner Nicola Stananought, of Blackmore, now plans to take her family on a holiday during the half-term break after scooping the hospice’s inaugural lottery on Friday (October 7).

Nicola, a nurse at the hospice in Havering-atte-Bower, said: “I was so shocked – I signed up for the lottery because it’s a fun way to support such a great cause. I never dreamed I would ever win, let alone in the first week.”

She was joined by Anita Wilson, of Brentwood, who won the bonus prize of a Fortnum & Mason’s hamper worth �500.

Anita, whose brother Keith was cared for at the hospice in 2003, said: “I’m thrilled with my prize, what a luxury! The hospice holds a special place in my heart so when I signed up for the lottery I wasn’t really thinking about what I could win. I’ll definitely be encouraging friends and family to play the lottery to support such a worthy local cause.”

More than 2,000 people tried their luck in the new lottery, paying �1 a ticket.

Lucky first place winners, like Nicola, scoop �1,000, with �10 cash prizes and luxury hampers also up for grabs.

To sign up, visit www.sfh.org.uk or call 01708 771433.