Charnwood Community Lottery winner ‘delighted’ with surprise windfall

Published: Mon 20th January, 2025

Quorn resident Dennis Marchant could not believe his eyes when he found out he had won £2,000 on the Charnwood Community Lottery.

Charnwood Community Lottery provides local good causes with a free and sustainable, online fundraising solution. It has helped raise thousands of pounds for organisations in the borough.

Tickets for the lottery cost £1 per week and 50 per cent of each ticket goes directly to the player's chosen good cause, with an additional 10 per cent going to the Community Fund, which is used to further support local good causes.

Any not-for-profit organisation in Charnwood can register to use the lottery. They will get their own lottery web page, bespoke marketing materials and support to help with fundraising.

Each ticket has a one in 50 chance of winning a prize each week, with a top prize of £25,000. But whether you win a prize or not, you are already winning by investing in your local community.

The second biggest prize available is £2,000 and that was the amount won by Dennis, who supports the Quorn Local History Group, where he is a committee member.

“I just couldn’t believe it, he said. “I look every Saturday evening when they send the email out, and it said: ‘You’re a winner’. I just thought maybe I’d won three free tickets or something.

“So I couldn’t believe it when I realised. I said to my wife: ‘We’d better have another look to make sure!’

“We were absolutely delighted, and I’d definitely recommend buying a ticket if you can.”

Dennis has given some of the winnings to his children, while some is going towards redecorating his house. He has also committed to buying a few more lottery tickets, to continue supporting local good causes.

Dennis explained how the lottery had helped Quorn Local History Group, which organises trips and talks, and helps to promote the history of the village.

“When we found out about the Charnwood Community Lottery, we thought it would suit us and was a really good idea, because not only would we help fund our own group but we would also help fund other good causes in Charnwood as well,” he said.

“We have a membership now of over 60, which I think is incredible for a small group – and we’ve been able to use the funds from the lottery, which has been really beneficial, to help with some of those projects around the village, and also to keep our membership fee down.

“So all the funds have helped towards that in a big way.”

Councillor Liz Blackshaw, the Council’s lead member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “The Charnwood Community Lottery is so much more than just a chance to win prizes—it’s a great way to bring people together and make a real difference in our borough.

“Every ticket purchased supports local groups like the Quorn Local History Group, enabling them to thrive and continue their fantastic work.

“Dennis’s win is a wonderful example of how giving back to the community can have its own rewards, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact this initiative is having on residents and good causes alike.

“I encourage everyone to get involved, whether by buying a ticket or registering a group - it’s a win-win for Charnwood.”

You can register for the Charnwood Community Lottery by visiting: https://www.charnwoodlottery.co.uk/good-causes