30 years, 30 prizes and a mystery winner: Pilgrims Hospices Lottery brings Comfort and Joy this Christmas
Somewhere, possibly in east Kent, a Pilgrims Hospices Lottery winner is walking around completely unaware that there’s a prize waiting for them! Where are you, Mr Smith (previously of the Herne Bay area)?
While the mystery of the missing first prize winner from one of our weekly draws continues… there’s plenty more excitement ahead, as the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery celebrates its 30th anniversary with this year’s festive Comfort and Joy Superdraw.
And there’s a lovely bit of Christmas maths to go with it – 30 years, 30 prizes and tickets costing just £1 each.
The 2026 Superdraw has a total prize fund of £4,300, with four main cash prizes and a further 26 festive prizes up for grabs.
Since the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery began in 1996, thousands of people across east Kent have taken part, helping to raise vital funds for hospice care while enjoying the chance to win a prize themselves.
“We have our players’ details safely on file for contacting winners, but on this occasion our winner has moved. We’re keeping the winnings safe and will be ready with a surprise when they get in touch with their new address details.
“It’s such a shame to have a winner who doesn’t yet know they’ve won, so we’re keeping everything crossed that they’ll be in touch really soon!
“It’s also a wonderful year for the Lottery as we celebrate 30 years. We’re incredibly proud of everything our supporters have helped us achieve over the past three decades. Every ticket bought, whether it wins a prize or not, helps us continue providing care to local people when they need it most.”
Could you be our mystery winner?
The Lottery team is hoping the unclaimed winner will come forward soon, and anyone who has recently moved house might want to make sure their Lottery details are up to date.
Annie Pritchard
30 years of supporting Pilgrims
Among the thousands of people who have supported the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery over the past 30 years is Thanet-based supporter, Annie Pritchard, who has been playing since the Lottery began in 1996.
Annie’s support for Pilgrims goes far beyond her regular Lottery entry. Over the years, she has been part of the Pilgrims family and continues to be a familiar and much-loved face at fundraising events and activities. She also volunteers in the Pilgrims’ shops, helping to raise even more vital funds for local hospice care.
Reflecting on three decades of supporting Pilgrims, Annie said:
“I can hardly believe it’s been 30 years! I started playing the Pilgrims Lottery all those years ago and, along the way, I’ve had the privilege of becoming involved in so many other parts of Pilgrims, too.
“I’ve always thought that if you’re going to spend £1, you might as well have a little bit of fun with it, and knowing that every ticket helps Pilgrims makes it even more worthwhile. I’ve never quite managed to win the big prize, but I think I’ve definitely won when it comes to the wonderful people I’ve met along the way!
“Pilgrims has been a very special part of my life for many years, and I’m incredibly proud to still be able to support the hospice through volunteering, fundraising and, of course, my Lottery membership. Here’s to the next 30 years!”
Pilgrims Hospices would like to say a very special thank you to Annie for being such an amazing and loyal supporter over the past three decades.
The Lottery currently has more than21,000 entries every week and raises more than £1.2 million each year to support Pilgrims Hospices.
And there’s an important reason behind all those numbers. Every £1 ticket helps Pilgrims provide compassionate, specialist care to local people living with life-limiting illness, and support for their families, in its three hospices and across the community.
In 2025, the Christmas Superdraw raised more than £75,000 for hospice care.
Taking part is easy
Tickets for the Comfort and Joy Superdraw cost just £1 each.
Via phone; call our friendly Lottery team 01227 379 741
Whether you’re hoping for a festive cash boost, looking for a little extra Christmas excitement, or simply want to support hospice care in your local community, one £1 ticket could make a difference.
Thirty years of Lottery. Thirty chances to win and thousands of reasons to say thank you.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
21st August 2026
Celebrating 30 years of Pilgrims Lottery
Happy birthday to you… happy birthday dear Pilgrims Hospices Lottery!
This April, we celebrated an incredible milestone – 30 wonderful years of Pilgrims Lottery. For three decades, this has been so much more than just a weekly draw. It’s been about kindness, community, and people like you coming together to make a real difference.
Every week, your entries have helped provide compassionate, specialist care for patients and families across our community. That’s something truly special and it simply wouldn’t be possible without you.
30 years of making a difference
Together, over the past 30 years, we’ve been able to:
Raise millions of pounds to fund vital hospice care
Award over £200,000 in prizes every single year
Celebrate more than 5,000 winners annually
Support thousands of patients and their loved ones when it matters most
Behind every number is a person, a family, and a story, and your support has helped bring comfort, dignity, and care to so many.
A personal thank you
Whether you’ve been supporting us for years or have only recently joined, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. You are part of something truly meaningful, and every single entry helps us continue our work.
Join us today
If you’re not already playing, now is the perfect time to get involved.
For just £1 per entry per week, you can be part of something life-changing with the added excitement of chances to win.
And as we continue to celebrate our 30th anniversary, please keep an eye out for our 30th Anniversary Comfort and Joy Superdraw tickets. We’re planning something extra special, and we’d love you to be part of it.
Together, we’ve achieved so much over the past 30 years. With your continued support, we can do even more – reaching more families, providing more care, and making an even greater difference in the years ahead.
Thank you for being part of our journey — and for everything you help make possible.
Warmest wishes,
Shiralee, Lottery Manager
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to thousands of people in east Kent each year who are living with life-limiting conditions. Support is offered in patients’ homes, in the community, and at our three hospice sites in Canterbury, Thanet and Ashford. We also run a 24-hour advice line.
3rd March 2025
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Superdraw Christmas 2024 raises over £75,000 for hospice care
Pilgrims Hospices is delighted to announce that its Lottery Superdraw Christmas 2024 raised more than £75,000 to support hospice care in the local community.
Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the 2024 Superdraw has become the most successful in over a decade, with thousands of you taking part.
Dr Pia Amsler
Pia Amsler, Medical Director at Pilgrims Hospices, and some of the patients who received her compassionate care and understanding, were integral to this vital fundraising campaign. Reflecting on its success, Pia said:
“It has been truly heartwarming to see the community come together for such an important cause. Many of our service users shared how much hospice care means to them, and I’m delighted to have been part of this incredible effort to raise funds that will directly impact the lives of so many. Every ticket purchased represents hope, compassion, and the opportunity to help people live well in every moment.”
The funds raised will go a long way in supporting Pilgrims Hospices’ mission to provide high-quality care and services for patients and their families across east Kent. By purchasing a ticket, participants not only contributed to the draw’s success, but also played a vital role in ensuring that Pilgrims can continue to offer its life-affirming care to those who need it most.
Shiralee Riddell, Pilgrims Lottery Manager said:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who purchased a ticket and helped us achieve this remarkable result. Your generosity means that we can continue to be there for people at the most challenging times of their lives, helping them live well in every moment. This success is a testament to the amazing support we receive from our community.”
As Pilgrims Hospices looks ahead in 2025, the funds raised through this Superdraw will ensure that even more people can benefit from its compassionate care, enabling patients to live as well as possible, despite serious illness, until they die well.
Thank you to everyone who made the Superdraw such an amazing success and helped make a real difference to hospice care in our area.
With big cash prizes to be won each week, you will also be supporting those who need our care and services.
Each year, Pilgrims Hospices care for thousands of people across east Kent, with services provided from its three hospice sites in Ashford, Canterbury, and Thanet, as well as in patients’ own homes. It costs over £17.2 million annually to run these services, much of which comes from the generous support of the local community.
19th September 2024
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Christmas Superdraw 2024 – Care this Christmas and win big!
As the festive season draws near, Pilgrims Hospices warmly invites you to take part in our Care this Christmas Superdraw 2024 — an exciting opportunity to support compassionate end-of-life care in our community, while standing a chance to win incredible prizes.
By purchasing a ticket, you’re not only helping provide vital care to those facing terminal illness, but you’ll also be entering a draw that could make this holiday season unforgettable for you and your loved ones. With 24 prizes to be won, including £2,000, £750, £500, £250, and 20 x £25 gift vouchers, this could be your chance to treat yourself to that dream holiday or something special for the family.
Shiralee Riddell, Pilgrims Lottery Manager, says:
“Thank you to everyone who has supported our Christmas Superdraw over the years. It’s become a cherished part of Pilgrims’ fundraising activities, raising more than £700,000 in the last decade alone. What an incredible achievement — thank you!”
Tickets cost just £1 each.
By purchasing a book of 12 tickets for £12, you could provide a delicious Christmas meal for someone in our care. And with two books for £24, you’ll help fund an hour of nursing care.
Every ticket purchased truly makes a difference, ensuring we’re here for the next family in need.
Important dates to remember
Superdraw packs will be sent to Pilgrims supporters from Monday 16 September 2024
Tickets will also be available online on this day, simply visit raffleplayer.com/pilgrims to purchase
The closing date for entries is Thursday 5 December 2024
The Superdraw will take place on Thursday 12 December 2024
In addition to cash prizes, we’re offering fast entry prizes for those who act quickly, plus more chances to win with our super seller prizes! Simply return your ticket stubs and payment in the envelope provided to secure your chance to win.
Need extra tickets? Our ticket hotline is ready to help, please call: 01628 511 701
Each £1 ticket sold helps Pilgrims Hospices continue providing compassionate care to local people living with a terminal illness — offering comfort, dignity, and support when it’s needed most. Your generosity enables us to support over 2,500 patients and their loved ones each year. Please help us make this year’s Superdraw the biggest yet!
Why not join our weekly Lottery for just £1 per entry? You could be one of 5,500 lucky winners who receive a cheque from Pilgrims Lottery each year!
Thank you for your ongoing support, and best of luck in the Superdraw!
Let’s make the Care this Christmas Superdraw 2024 a festive season to remember for everyone.
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery – Compassionate care and big wins all year round.
Pilgrims Hospices is a charity dedicated to providing expert care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses in east Kent. Our services ensure comfort, dignity, and quality of life for patients and their families, offering compassionate care both in hospice settings and in the community.
17th August 2023
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery community ties
Here in the world of Pilgrims Hospices Lottery we pride ourselves on the strong connections and amazing relationships we have with our local communities in the Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet areas.
We have been meeting up with many of our wonderful members for an amazing 27 years, in fact since Pilgrims Hospices Lottery began in the April of 1996.
We have seen our members’ families grow up to have families of their own. When they have moved we have too, moving their collection onto the relevant Collector in their new area. Winning cheques have been hand delivered to many with messages of thanks, perfect timing, happy purchases, travel arrangements made and kind donations given.
Lottery Collectors and members have been sadly lost along the way but those strong ties remain, family and friends picking up the reigns and taking over membership entries and collections.
New relationships and connections continue to be made with over 2800 new or additional entries into our weekly draw plus hundreds of you buying superdraw tickets, scratch cards, wedding favours and gift vouchers. This last year alone; we have raised over £1.2 million, have sent out more than 5,500 winners cheques and made over 50 thousandaires!
When you see the difference the compassionate care makes to Pilgrims Hospices patients and their families it’s easy to see what drives us.
We are and will remain truly grateful and humbled by the tremendous generosity shown in support of the incredible compassionate care provided by our teams both in the community, in people’s homes and in our hospices. Thank you, we really couldn’t do it without you. Together we really do make a difference.
£25 pays for one full hour of compassionate care by specialist nurse so you really do and can make a difference; help us continue to provide care and comfort to those that need us the most.
If you would like to join and make a difference today please call 01227 379741, or click here to go directly to our website page. Still only £1 per entry per week and you could win up to £20,000!
P.S Our Christmas Gift Vouchers are available now and our Christmas Superdraw tickets will be landing on doormats soon.
With Warmest Wishes from
Shiralee and your Lottery team.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to thousands of people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
21st February 2018
Super-supporters raise vital funds for hospice care
A group of hospice nurses accepted a cheque for a staggering £53,000 for their charity this week, thanks to the support of thousands of people from across east Kent.
The funds were raised through the latest Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Superdraw, which saw supporters buying tickets for £1 each with a chance to win up to £2,000.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of the hospice, Senior Ward Sister, Sarah Martins, said: “The whole care team at Pilgrims – nurses, doctors and therapists – is humbled to see just how many people have supported the draw this year. Their generosity will mean we can be there for more people with incurable illness who need our care, and their families.”
The whole care team at Pilgrims – nurses, doctors and therapists – is humbled to see just how many people have supported the draw this year.
Sarah Martins, Senior Ward Sister at Pilgrims Hospices
Each year Pilgrims supports hundreds of local people, and their families, who are coping with life limiting illness. The charity offer a range of services: from end of life care given on its wards, to its Wellbeing and Social Programme supporting people after they are diagnosed to live well and stay independent.
The money raised by the Care this Christmas Superdraw is enough to cover the cost of 2,650 hours of Pilgrims nursing care where and when it’s needed.
Shiralee Riddell, Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Manager, presented the cheque, saying: “It’s such a pleasure to present this fabulous sum to the hospices. We would like to thank our supporters who raised such a phenomenal amount by purchasing £1 tickets and making our Superdraw such a huge success.”
There are many ways to support Pilgrims throughout the year; joining Pilgrims Hospices Lottery for just £1 each week is just one of them. By becoming a Lottery member, you can help Shiralee and her team to support Pilgrims in providing vital, compassionate care to local people when they need it the most. Click here for more information or call 01227 379 741.
