Gift of love that keeps on giving

Postcode Lottery players match widowed winner's £25k hospice donation

Heart of Kent Hospice has been given a New Year funding boost after People’s Postcode Lottery players matched a £25,000 gift given by one of their winners in memory of her beloved husband.

Linda Styles, from Maidstone, donated to Heart of Kent Hospice after winning £250,000 on the Postcode Lottery last August, to thank staff for the care they gave to her partner Owen, who died in March 2024.

And now Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson has made a special visit to the hospice in Aylesford and revealed Linda’s generous gift has been doubled by players who have raised an additional £25,000 for the charity. It means their combined support totals £50,000!

Linda said: “I’m just so thrilled for the hospice. The hospice needs as much financial support as it can get - every penny matters so much. It means a lot that the team are getting recognition as well - they are our unsung heroes. It’s brilliant news.”

Linda shared a £1m pot with three other neighbours in Maidstone after ME16 0TW landed the lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize. Good causes close to the winning postcode also benefit as part of the prize, enabling the funding boost for Heart of Kent.

Linda explained: “My husband Owen was diagnosed with liver cancer in early February 2024. We had a very short journey with his illness – it was only six weeks from diagnosis to losing him. Most of that time was spent in hospitals, but in his last week, I had a phone call to say that there was a space available at the hospice.

“The staff supported not just Owen, but the whole family when we came here. I was allowed to stay 24/7 with Owen in his last week. The care and attention the nurses gave him was phenomenal.”

When Linda received a call from the Postcode Lottery to tell her she had won, she immediately thought of the hospice team that had looked after Owen so lovingly in his final days.

“It was incredible to be in a position to be able to give some money to the hospice, to show them in a small way how much they’ve meant to me. They’ve given me so much support – and now I could give some back.

Linda added: “When I found out I had won the Postcode Lottery, giving back to the hospice was absolutely my first thought. The phone call to tell me that I won was fantastic, but the best phone call I’ve ever had was the phone call from the hospice to tell me that there was a room for Owen.

“I can never say a big enough thank you. They’ve meant so much to me and continue to support me. I’ve been coming back to the hospice to attend the bereavement groups - it’s a safe space for us all to share our emotions.”

Linda with photograph of beloved husband, Owen

Postcode Lottery players have raised £1m to date for Hospice UK - a charity championing over 200 local hospices, including Heart of Kent.

Ann-Marie Kelly, Chief Executive at Heart of Kent Hospice, said: “We are so grateful to Linda for thinking of and supporting the hospice with her initial donation and we’re delighted to receive this additional award of £25,000 from Postcode Lottery players.

“Their funding will directly support those with a terminal illness under our care now and into the future. Compassion drives the team here at the hospice and I’m extremely proud that our services touch people like Linda in a way they want to show their gratitude to enable others to receive the same experience.”

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Linda’s story is a touching example of the personal impact of hospice care.

“The dedicated staff and volunteers at Heart of Kent Hospice – and teams in hospices across the country - provide compassion, dignity and comfort when it’s needed most and we are proud that our players are helping ensure these vital services continue to make a difference in the future.”