CHARITY lottery winners visited a Darlington hospice to see the difference their support makes to its operation.

The One Wish Lottery has raised more than £5m for hospices throughout the North-East since its inception in 1998 and has given away more than £2m in prizes.

The money raised from ticket sales goes towards supporting St Teresa’s Hospice, in Darlington, as well as the Butterwick Hospice in Bishop Auckland, St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham and St Benedict’s Hospice in Sunderland.

A special reception was held at St Teresa’s Hospice last week to congratulate the lottery’s most recent winners and to give them an insight into the work done at the hospice.

Lottery manager Dawn Watson thanked supporters and said: “Specialist and experienced staff are dedicated to helping people in our local hospices but it is the ongoing support of One Wish Lottery which helps to raise vital funds toward paying for these services.

“This event has not only been to congratulate our winners but also to show our appreciation for their ongoing support.”

A midsummer lottery, drawn on Friday, June 20 saw one Durham woman net £2,500.

She said she had been shocked and very happy to win and would enjoy treating her family.

For more information about the lottery, visit onewish.net or call 01325-288484.