Somewhere, possibly in east Kent, a Pilgrims Hospices Lottery winner is walking around unaware that there’s a prize waiting for them! Where are you Mr Smith? (Previously of the Herne Bay area)
While the mystery of the missing first prize winner from one of our weekly draws continues… there’s plenty more excitement ahead as the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery celebrates its 30th anniversary with this year’s festive Comfort and Joy Superdraw.
And there’s a lovely bit of Christmas maths to go with it: 30 years, 30 prizes and tickets costing just £1 each.
The 2026 Superdraw has a total prize fund of £4,300, with four main cash prizes and a further 26 festive prizes up for grabs.
Since the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery began in 1996, thousands of people across east Kent have taken part, helping to raise vital funds for hospice care while enjoying the chance to win a prize themselves.
The Mystery Winner
Pilgrims Hospices Lottery Manager Shiralee Riddell said:
We have our players’ details safely on file for contacting winners, but on this occasion our winner has moved. We’re keeping the winnings safe and will be ready with a surprise when they get in touch with their new address details.
It’s such a shame to have a winner who doesn’t yet know they’ve won, so we’re keeping everything crossed that they’ll be in touch really soon!
It’s also a wonderful year for the Lottery as we celebrate 30 years. We’re incredibly proud of everything our supporters have helped us achieve over the past three decades. Every ticket bought, whether it wins a prize or not, helps us continue providing care to local people when they need it most.
The Lottery team is hoping the unclaimed winner will come forward soon, and anyone who has recently moved house might want to make sure their Lottery details are up to date.
30 Years of Supporting Pilgrims
Among the thousands of people who have supported the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery over the past 30 years is Thanet-based supporter Annie Pritchard, who has been playing since the Lottery began in 1996.
Annie’s support for Pilgrims goes far beyond her regular Lottery entry. Over the years, she has been part of the Pilgrims family and continues to be a familiar and much-loved face at fundraising events and activities. She also volunteers in the Pilgrims’ shops, helping to raise even more vital funds for local hospice care.
Reflecting on three decades of supporting Pilgrims, Annie said:
I can hardly believe it’s been 30 years! I started playing the Pilgrims Lottery all those years ago, and, along the way, I’ve had the privilege of becoming involved in so many other parts of Pilgrims too.
I’ve always thought that if you’re going to spend £1, you might as well have a little bit of fun with it, and knowing that every ticket helps Pilgrims makes it even more worthwhile. I’ve never quite managed to win the big prize, but I think I’ve definitely won when it comes to the wonderful people I’ve met along the way!
Pilgrims has been a very special part of my life for many years, and I’m incredibly proud to still be able to support the hospice through volunteering, fundraising and, of course, my Lottery membership. Here’s to the next 30 years!
Pilgrims Hospices would like to say a special thank you to Annie for being such a loyal supporter over the past three decades.
Where the Money Goes
The Lottery currently has more than 21,000 entries every week and raises more than £1.2 million each year to support Pilgrims Hospices.
And there’s an important reason behind all those numbers. Every £1 ticket helps Pilgrims provide compassionate, specialist care to local people living with life-limiting illness and support for their families in its three hospices and across the community.
In 2025, the Christmas Superdraw raised more than £75,000 for hospice care.
How to Take Part
Tickets for the Comfort and Joy Superdraw cost £1 each.
They can be bought online on the Pilgrims Hospices Lottery page, through Pilgrims Hospices shops and hospice receptions.
Thirty years of Lottery. Thirty chances to win and thousands of reasons to say thank you.
Players must be aged 18 or over.
Pilgrims Hospices provides compassionate, specialist care free of charge to people across east Kent living with life-limiting illness, supporting patients and their families in the hospice, in the community and in their own homes.
The Pilgrims Hospices Lottery is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission.
