Winners pack luxury Christmas hampers for key workers
Carers and hospice workers received some early Christmas cheer when they took delivery of luxury gift hampers packed by National Lottery winners in England and Wales.
Working in their homes due to coronavirus restrictions and sharing gift ideas via a WhatsApp group, the winners from Wales and North West England were determined to deliver a heartfelt thank-you to people who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic.
The hampers, which were quarantined after they were packed, were delivered to carers at 2 Age Concern Dementia Day Support Centres in Lancashire and staff at Cardiff’s City Hospice who care for terminally ill patients in their own homes.
Natalie Cunliffe from Blackpool, who won £1Million on a National Lottery Scratchcard 4 years ago, was part of the team of winners from North West England who packed the hampers at home. She said, “The efforts these carers go to so selflessly, and the sacrifices they make every day, to care and love, is incredible. I was absolutely thrilled to be involved in such a heart-warming project to say thank-you and show our appreciation for all they do.
“I absolutely love Christmas and thoroughly enjoyed creating the hampers. We all need a bit of festive cheer at the moment so it was fantastic to be able to help make Christmas arrive early!”
Other winners in the North West production line included: Jane Wyatt, from Manchester, who won £1Million in 2016; Ruth Breen, from Wigan, who won £1Million in 2014 and Tracy Birkbeck from Penrith, who won £370Thousand in 2013.
The team of hamper packers in Wales – codenamed Operation Snowball – included Julie Amphlett, a member of a syndicate dubbed the Catering Girls that scooped a £24.47Million EuroMillions jackpot in 2017.
Julie said, “Having worked in a hospital for many years, I have seen first-hand the pressure that carers and healthcare staff are under, day in, day out and that is before you factor in the additional stress of a global pandemic. To be able to do something to say thank-you to the team at City Hospice who have done their absolute best in the most difficult of circumstances is a privilege.”
Suzanne Carr, CEO at Age Concern Central Lancashire, said, “Our family carers are at the core of our charity – they embody everything that we are passionate about and we’re incredibly proud of how well they have adapted over lockdown, overcoming the many personal challenges that carers often face on a daily basis. They are unsung heroes!
“We’re extremely honoured to be chosen by National Lottery winners to receive these beautiful festive hampers and we know that our fantastic carers will truly appreciate a spot of early Christmas joy!”
Meanwhile, Liz Andrews, CEO at City Hospice, said, "[The hampers] will certainly bring some cheer at the end of a very tough year.”
18th December 2020
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