Life changing

Lotto winner makes Blackpool dream come true for wheelchair ballroom dancer

A keen wheelchair ballroom dancer lived out her dancing dreams when she took to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom floor thanks to the generosity of a National Lottery winner.

Jane Hambling, 27, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, had her strictly come dancing dream come true thanks to a kind Lotto winner. Needing a specialist chair to continue to compete, kind Lotto winner Lynne Groves not only helped pay for Jane’s chair but also enabled her to dance at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Lynne, who is from Essex, won £1Million on the Lotto Millionaire Raffle in 2016. While the grandmother of 11 has treated her nearest and dearest, she has also helped others close to her. When she heard that a friend of her daughter needed the other half of the money for a specialist wheelchair Lynne stepped in.

Lynne said, “This has been one of the greatest joys of winning, the ability to help out where I think it’s needed most. The lottery has opened many doors, not least getting Jane exclusive access to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.”

Watch Jane's dancing dream come true

Grateful

Avid dancer Jane loved the experience at Blackpool and is grateful for the special chair.

“Mum made me go to the first session with my electric chair as something to do and to get out of the house. After that very first session I was hooked and I still absolutely love it. For three years I danced with my electric chair but as I progressed realised I really needed a manual sports version.”

With the specialist wheelchair costing in excess of £1,000 Jane worried about raising the funds but using her initiative launched a justgiving page.

“Friends and family were really generous, and so was our local restaurant, Vita Bella in East Hanningfield, but we were at a bit of a loss to reach the final amount. Then Lynne’s daughter told me her mum would make up the difference and the chair was bought.

The new chair has boosted Jane’s performance and given her big plans for the future. “My ultimate aim is to reach the Nationals and from there compete on the international circuit. Being here at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is a long way from that first lesson in Southend but I really hope it’s the start of something big for my ballroom career!”

Joy

For Lynne, a registered carer for more than 30 years who still cares for a gentleman locally, her £1million win has bought so much joy and in so many different guises.

“I believe a lottery win isn’t just about the person who wins but about the people that winner can help. I haven’t splashed out on a new car because I didn’t need one but I’ve bought quite a few for the family. And there have been lots of different holidays for family and friends, some of which I haven’t even been on but was happy to pay for so they could enjoy a break.

“It’s sharing the win that has been my greatest joy, but I’m not an utter saint, I’ll admit some of the money has been spent renovating my home of 37 years and it now looks like a film stars Hollywood pad!”

13th October 2017

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,000 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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