A NEW car, a dream holiday or a new fitted kitchen could be closer than you think as a new lottery is launched by Bay Hospitals Charity, the official charity of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

Each week, players have the chance to win the £25,000 jackpot plus many other fantastic cash prizes, and at the same help raise vital funds to support care across Morecambe Bay Hospitals.

For every £1 entry – at least 50p comes directly to Bay Hospitals Charity and will help improve the hospital environment; purchase the latest in state-of-the-art equipment and provide extra care.

The remainder goes to our trusted lottery provider, Unity Lottery who provide administration support and cover the cost of all prizes won; so there are no ongoing costs to Bay Hospitals Charity for running the lottery.

Heather Wood, matron for children and young people at Furness General Hospital, said: “The Special Care Baby Unit at the South Lakes Birth Centre at FGH looks after babies who need more than the usual level of care in the first few days and weeks of their life. These include babies who are born prematurely, have difficulty being delivered or have concerns following birth.

“Thanks to Bay Hospitals Charity, last year we were able to fund a brand new incubator. Recently incubator manufacturers have developed newer models, which have some really useful benefits. The newer features include special noise and light controls which are key to optimising brain development in premature babies."

Sue Smith, deputy chief executive and executive chief nurse at UHMBT said: “This lottery is a fun way for local people to support their local hospitals. It would be great if as many people as possible could support us by getting behind the lottery, and be in with a chance to win up to £25,000 every week.”

The new lottery is run by the Barrow-based Sterling Lotteries which already run lottery and raffle services for over 350 charities and good causes.

Richard Dixon, managing director of Sterling Lotteries, said: ''It is really satisfying to know we are doing our bit to help our local hospitals."