Tri-Service

Veterans' Lottery Helps Those Most In Need

Since the national Veterans' Lottery launched in July thousands of people have joined the £10 monthly draw and in doing so helped some of those most at need in Britain.

Giving away £8,000 a month, plus a rollover that can grow as high as £75,000, players also receive a FREE Gourmet Society card worth £69.95 which entitles holders to up to 50 per cent off food and drink at over 6,500 outlets nationwide.

It's a timely initiative by the Veterans' Foundation with new studies into the plight of veterans claiming 70 per cent currently live with long term physical and mental problems.

Reports also state many are living in fear of debt and are depressed by their circumstances and lack self-esteem. A high percentage of British veterans also believe they have been disadvantaged by their service and feel poorly treated compared to veterans in the USA.

Other data revealed fifty per cent of those surveyed are unemployed, many too sick to gain a job, and four out of ten of those who served in Afghanistan are suffering from PTSD.

Veterans’ Foundation patron Hannah Campbell, who lost her left leg in mortar attack in Iraq, believes the lottery will make a huge impact: “The Dover broadcast seemed a fitting launchpad as we were able to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and then combine that with the very real issues our veterans face today.

“The Veterans’ Lottery is a simple concept that directly supports a wide range of projects. Every player has the chance to win thousands of pounds, but every player also contributes to helping heroes who need urgent support. Many small charitable groups who deliver very specialised help to veterans have been starved of funding and the lottery is designed to empower bodies like that."

Hannah added: “There is a real urgency – we need to give our ex-service men and women some support. The recent reports just underpin what we already knew – not enough is being done. Veterans are homeless, considering suicide, or so poor they can’t buy the bare essentials. If you are in a position to help, please sign up and join my mission.”

Military mum Karen Whitfield’s numbers came up in the July draw after she decided to join the lottery to support veterans. Karen’s husband Kingsley is a retired Sergeant Major with the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment (now the Duke Of Lancaster’s Regiment) and served tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, whilst son Chris was in the same regiment as his dad and served two tours of Iraq. He was medically discharged after damaging his hearing.

“I still can’t believe I’ve won! I don’t do the National Lottery but I decided to join the Veterans’ Lottery because I’ve got two veterans in the house. The money goes to causes that matter to us and I felt I could afford the £10 a month. Chris battles with PTSD and the military is a very important part of our lives.”

Karen, an assistant manager at a care home in her home town of Morecambe, has split the money with Kingsley. Plans are already in place for Kingsley’s new workshop in the garden, whilst Karen is still yet to plan how she’ll spend her windfall.

“One of the great benefits of the Veterans’ Lottery is the free Gourmet Card which gives money off food and drink at restaurants. We can save 25 per cent on the bill at our local place here in Morecambe and the card is always with me,” added Karen.