Wirral lottery winners bring festive cheer to Claire House hospice

Dec 14 2011 by Helen Hunt, Birkenhead News

BIG-hearted lottery winners from Wirral were among those bringing festive cheer to children with life-limiting conditions.

Ben Woods from Raby Mere and Tony and Greta Dodd, from Wallasey, were part of a group of 16 winners and their families visiting Claire House Children’s Hospice in Bebington.

Arriving by a traditional double decker bus, the bevy of local lottery winners, who hail from places across the North West, dropped in to donate gifts to the hospice’s children and staff.

The winners and their families spent time with children at the hospice before handing over a selection of gifts, including a large bean bag, hair dryers for the children’s bedrooms, new bedding for the Butterfly Suite and songbooks for play therapists.

Clair Bedford, relationships manager at Claire House, which offers respite to children up to age 23 who have life limiting or life threatening conditions, said: “It is heartening to know that people who have been fortunate enough to win the lottery want to give back and want to give back to the children and families who use Claire House.”

Tony and Greta Dodd won £2.4m in 2007.

Mr Woods, who won £2.4m in 2004, said: “I realise how lucky I have been to win my life-changing prize and since then I have been keen to support local charities.

“Claire House is a very special place and it’s been amazing meeting the staff and children here.”

Mr Woods, a former railway guard, has previously donated flat screen televisions to the hospice for use in the parent’s room.

The winners were visiting Claire House as part of the Winner Wonderland tour, which is visiting charities across the UK.