Since our establishment in 1997, The Hospice Lottery Partnership has remained dedicated to raising funds for our partner charities that provide care for people in their community. As we reminisce about our journey, we celebrate the collective efforts that have brought us to where we are now.
Originally known as “The 3 Hospices Lottery,” we were founded by representatives from Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, and South Bucks Hospice. In 2003, under the leadership of Marion Bryant, the partnership of charities expanded to include The Hospice of St Francis and Thames Hospice Care. Our growth then continued with the addition of Michael Sobell Hospice Charity in 2005 and Grove House in 2008 (later merging with Iain Rennie Hospice at Home to become Rennie Grove Hospice Care).
Over the years Chief Executives, Helen Elliott, Nick Mason, and David Griffiths all played crucial roles in driving the growth of lottery players and expanding into new territories. In 2019, we welcomed associate partners, Harlington Hospice followed closely by Raise: West Hertfordshire Hospital Charity in 2020 and East & North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity in 2021, further extending our reach.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges in 2020. Despite the difficulties, we persevered and found new ways to engage with our existing supporters as well as attract new players despite the lockdown challenges and restrictions.
25 years on from our first draw, under the leadership of Belinda Ellis, we are continuing to grow and are proud to have recently celebrated a significant milestone, having donated a remarkable £17 million to our partner charities.
As we reflect on our journey, we recognise that our success is a result of the combined efforts of passionate individuals, committed partner charities, and the unwavering support of our players. Moving forward, we are excited to continue our mission, raising funds and providing vital support to those in need within local communities.
Thank you for being part of our journey during the last 25 years, we hope that you have enjoyed being part of The Hospice Lottery and you will continue to be with us for many more years to come.