Our thrilling day out thanks to Health Lottery
HUNDREDS of Health Lottery heroes were given a special day out in the sun yesterday to enjoy Britain’s newest rollercoaster experience – the aptly named Hero ride.
Shania, Jordan and Keiron Peverley meet Chris Eubank yesterday
Parents with disabled children, young carers of sick mothers and fathers and charity workers were among the 500 special guests.
They were invited by the Health Lottery and Flamingo Land theme park in North Yorkshire for a day out to reward their superhuman efforts.
The delighted guests were among the first people to try out the £8million white-knuckle ride officially unveiled by Health Lottery ambassadors Donna Air and former boxer Chris Eubank.
Thousands of families have benefited from the £36million of charitable payouts that have been donated to good causes since Daily Express owner Richard Desmond launched the Health Lottery in 2011.
The families were joined by 20 military heroes, some of whom have served in Afghanistan, and paramedics from Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Newcastle-born Donna chatted to the excited families. She said: “When we first think of superheroes we think of Batman and Superman but every day we actually overlook the real superheroes in our own communities.
Clare Dunbar
“This is why the Health Lottery is so important because it provides real help to people and small charities who would otherwise be overlooked.”
Former World Champion boxer Chris said: “I have met some incredible young people today who are carers and it is so moving. I was a carer for my disabled father and I know how difficult it can be.”
Enjoying their day out were Clare and Steve Dunbar with Clare’s 15-year-old daughter Beth, who has Down’s Syndrome, and son Tom, 11. Clare volunteers for Scope’s Face 2 Face service which has received more than £540,000 from the Health Lottery.
She said: “When Beth was born there was nothing to help give me advice. Health Lottery funding has enabled me to have proper training as a befriender to fully support new parents of disabled children.”
Rosina Saaremets, 18, who cares for her mother and two baby siblings, said: “It is wonderful to have a day out. I feel like I have a huge weight on my shoulders but thanks to the Health Lottery I now receive some support from the York Carer’s Centre.”
The centre has received £80,000 in Health Lottery funding over two years to provide help for people aged 16 to 25 who care for sick relatives.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/health/417580/Our-thrilling-day-out-thanks-to-Health-Lottery
