by Tim Collins
tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk

The Pilgrims Hospice is urging people to continue supporting its weekly fundraising lottery rather than turn to a new national rival.
The hospice Lottery has been running for 15 years and has raised more than £5 million towards the care of patients suffering from incurable illnesses at its three hospices in Ashford, Canterbury and Thanet.
But businessman and media-mogul Richard Desmond has now set up his nationwide 'Health Lottery’, which will be in competition with local lotteries across the country and hospice bosses fear it could impact on their income.
Steve Auty, chief executive of Pilgrims Hospices East Kent, pictured left, said: “The Health Lottery has spent £50 million on setting up and launching their lottery.”
“We cannot, and would not want to, compete with this size of marketing budget.”
“But if the number of people who play Pilgrims Hospices Lottery falls significantly, we may have to consider reducing the range of services we currently offer,” he warned.
Pilgrims Hospices donates 80p in every £1 raised to patient care.

This compares to the 20.34p in every £1 that the Health Lottery will donate.
Pilgrims Hospices care for around 2,000 patients every year, as well as offering support to their carers and families. All the services they offer are free of charge but cost around £9 million each year to provide.
Mr Auty added: “We are fortunate that with the support of the Kentish Express, your readers and the wider community, 75% of this daunting total comes directly from the public.
“I hope that people choose to join Pilgrims Hospices Lottery, safe in the knowledge that their money is being spent locally
on a cause that really makes a difference.”

Full story in tomorrow's Kentish Express.