Kent postcode lottery winner donates £25,000 to hospice

A lottery winner who donated thousands of pounds to a hospice after the death of her husband said the decision was a “no-brainer” given the care he received there.

Linda Styles donated £25,000 to the Heart of Kent Hospice, in Aylesford, Kent, after winning £250,000 in the People’s Post Code Lottery.

Her husband, Owen Styles, died in March aged 60 having been cared for at the hospice after being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer six weeks before.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Mrs Styles said: “The hospital was great, but the difference in care at the hospice was indescribable.”

Mrs Styles said: “It was an absolute no-brainer and the right thing to do.

“These places are invaluable, we have to treasure them.”

Mr Styles spent eight days at the hospice having been diagnosed with liver cancer in February this year.

Making the donation, Mrs Styles was joined by her friend, Jo Thwaites, whose husband Ian was also treated by the hospice..

Mr Thwaites was diagnosed with cancer before Mr Style’s death, and was later treated in the same room as his friend.

Mrs Thwaites and her three children raised £3,000 for the hospice while taking part in a moonlit walk in October.

Ann-Marie Kelly, chief executive of the Heart of Kent Hospice, said: “This really is a transformational gift and one we are so grateful to receive which will directly support patients that need our care in the future.

“Compassion drives the team here at the hospice and I’m extremely proud that our services touch people like Linda and Jo in a way they want to show their gratitude to enable others to receive the same experience.”