Three lucky winners from Essex shared the prize pot, taking home £3,000, £1,500 and £500. The funds raised through the charity raffle could pay for more than 375 hours of specialist care for children at Little Havens and adults at Fair Havens. 

Top prize winner Maria Pearman from Benfleet said she was overwhelmed by the surprise win and reflected on her family’s personal connection to the charity: 

“This is such a shock, I’ve never won anything like this. Fair Havens cared for my dad nine years ago, and I still remember just how much love and support we were all shown. It was all the little touches that made those three weeks so much more bearable for us all, even arranging a tea party for his grandson’s birthday. 

“Since then, I’ve always done what I can to support Fair Havens because I know just how important the care is. I entered the raffle not even thinking about the prizes. I just thought what an easy way to support the hospice, so for them to then knock on my door was a huge surprise. I’m not sure how I’ll spend the money yet – I’d like to treat my family and grandchildren but also donate some back to Havens Hospices so they can continue their great work.” 

Every ticket sold helps fund the vital care provided by Havens Hospices to adults and children living with incurable conditions, and their families, at Fair Havens Hospice in Southend-on-Sea and Little Havens Hospice in Benfleet. 

The charity only receives around 14% of its funding from the government, meaning it relies heavily on the generosity of supporters to keep its specialist care free and accessible to everyone who needs it. 

Amy Bell, from the Fundraising Team at Havens Hospices, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Spring Raffle, and congratulations to all of our winners. We’ve been especially touched to hear from supporters who are choosing to donate some of their winnings back to Havens Hospices – it’s an incredibly kind gesture that will help us continue providing vital care to local families.” 

If you’d like to continue supporting Havens Hospices while being in with the chance to win, why not join the Havens Hospices Lottery? With a top prize of £1,000 every week, every ticket you buy helps fund vital care for local children, adults and their families when they need it most. It’s quick and easy to sign up online, and you can pay by Direct Debit so you never miss a draw. Find out more and join today: https://havenshospiceslottery.org.uk/ 

Published on 5th May 2026