Havering-atte-Bower’s St Francis Hospice celebrated the anniversary of its lottery scheme by handing out two first prizes of �1,000 last Friday (October 19).

One of the winning tickets belonged to 33-year-old Scott Lloyd, who runs a training company, and 30-year-old paediatric palliative care nurse Ellie Sale, of Dagenham.

“My mum died from cancer and Ellie’s nan died in a hospice,” said Scott, “so when we saw one of the St Francis Hospice ambassadors visiting our road and encouraging people to join the hospice lottery we signed up.”

The second �1,000 winner was 53-year-old Stuart Davis, who works in Harold Wood in the motor trade.

Stuart has been playing the lottery since it began.

“I was so pleased to receive a phone call to let me know I was one of the two winners on the first anniversary of this lottery,” he said.

The lottery offers a first prize of �1,000 each week, a rollover second prize, and 10 third prizes of �10 each.

Friday December 28 will see another special draw with three extra prizes – an iPad3, a 42-inch LG LCD HDTV, and �300 in John Lewis vouchers.

To join the hospice lottery, visit www.sfh.org.uk or call 01708 771433.