A CHARITY supporter has received a £6,000 windfall.

Paul Esworthy, of St John’s Road, Colchester, won St Helena Hospice’s biggest-ever lottery rollover jackpot.

The dad-of-three has been playing the weekly lottery draw, which raises funds for hospice care, since 2001.

He chose to donate a generous amount of his winnings back to the hospice.

Mr Esworthy, who retired from being an accountant before Christmas, said: “I’m so excited – it’s a great thing for us and I’m so pleased.

“To be honest, it’s such a shock I have no idea what we’ll do with the money, but I’m sure my wife and kids will have ideas.

“The lottery is for such a good cause. We’ve had a couple of little £10 wins, but obviously this is in a slightly different league.

“I started playing because my father, George, died in St Helena Hospice.

“While he was there, we were so impressed with the care he received and the feel of the whole place, we thought we should give something back.

“It’s such a worthwhile charity to give to.”

Mr Esworthy’s father had been suffering from cancer.

Thanks to loyal lottery members, Your Hospice Lottery has raised more than £3.5million for St Helena Hospice to help improve the quality of life for people affected by life-limiting conditions.

With a growing local population and an increased need for services, it currently costs £8.7million each year to run St Helena Hospice, which is based in Highwoods, Colchester.

Alex Howe, its head of lottery, said: “We are delighted for Mr Esworthy and want to thank him for his generous donation to St Helena Hospice.

“Your Hospice Lottery provides a valuable regular income towards hospice running costs and we could not do this without loyal players like Mr Esworthy.

“Our fundraising lottery exists only to raise funds for hospice care and it’s a fun and easy way to support St Helena Hospice.

It helps us to continue to provide quality care and services, such as home visits from clinical nurse specialists or rehabilitation to support patients’ independence.

“And of course, our players have the chance to win too.”

Each week there are 111 prizes ranging from £10 to £1,000.

There is also a chance to win a rollover jackpot, which if not won, goes up by £250 each week up to a maximum of £10,000.

Before Mr Esworthy’s win in the draw last Friday, the rollover had not been won since August 8 last year, when a player won £250.

For more information about Your Hospice Lottery and to join online, visit yourhospicelottery.

org.uk/st-helena-hospice or call 0800 285 1390.