An Introduction to our Charity Partners

Since make a smile lottery began in 2017, we have teamed up with fourteen different cause partners. Each looking for players to support their cause through our weekly lottery.  

So, we thought it would be great to give you a brief overview on each of our wonderful partners and the positive impact they have on their local community. 

Age Concern Colchester and North-East Essex 

Age Concern Colchester and North-East Essex provides vital services and support for people with the goal of making life better in later years. Their mission is to boost the welfare and quality of life of older people and those who care for them, through advice, information, knowledge and resources. By playing the lottery on behalf of Age Concern Colchester and North-East Essex, you will help them combat social isolation, loneliness and alleviate poverty in the most vulnerable in our society. 

Age UK Northamptonshire 

Age UK Northamptonshire is a local independent cause providing services and support for older people in the local area. Everything they do enables older people across the county to love later life. They believe later years should be fulfilling years, whether you are going through tough times or want to socialise and make new friends, they are here to help.  

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans 

Blesma is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the loss of use of a limb, an eye or loss of sight. Since 1932, they have been the only national service charity that supports limbless veterans for life, offering financial and emotional support to them and their families. Rehabilitation, advocacy, counselling and care are the foundations of what they do. Their welfare support allows members and their families to face the challenges ahead with renewed confidence and self-belief.  

Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity 

Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity want to transform healthcare in the community. They will push the boundaries of possibility to make every patient experience the best it can possibly be. With the money they raise through the lottery and beyond, they can deliver more than is possible with NHS funding alone. From large scale building projects and refurbishing wards to make them dementia friendly, through to the latest neonatal incubators and comfortable reclining chairs for expectant parents, there are no boundaries to what they can achieve. 

RSPCA East Norfolk Branch 

The RSPCA East Norfolk is an independent branch of the RSPCA, covering the area of Gt. Yarmouth and Gorleston to the south and stretches as far as Cromer in the north. The aim of the branch is to ensure that all animals brought to it; whether that is because of neglect, ill-treatment or because they are no longer wanted, are given the best possible care before being re-homed. At present their pets are looked after at private boarding establishments and in fosterer’s homes when extra TLC is required. 

RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk Branch 

The RSPCA Mid Norfolk and North Suffolk is an independent branch of the RSPCA. Their mission is to raise awareness, provide practical support and demonstrate compassion to deliver excellent animal welfare in their area. They rehome a variety of animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, small furries and exotics such as reptiles and birds. They do not have an animal centre, so all of their animals are housed either at private boarding establishments or with fosterers.  

HARP 

HARP is Southend’s homeless charity, helping over 1,200 people every year who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They provide essential services like food, clothing and washing facilities, as well as emergency and long-term supported housing. By playing the make a smile lottery for HARP, you will be helping more local people overcome homelessness for good. 

Head to Toe 

Head to Toe is the official charity for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, who specialise in caring for people of all ages with long-term physical or mental health needs. Their mission is to enhance the incredible work of their trust by providing additional equipment, services and support that go above and beyond what the NHS can fund.  

Mid and North-East Essex Mind 

Mid and North-East Essex Mind are a local independent cause, affiliated to the national cause, Mind. They raise their own money to run their services, open to children, young people and adults living with a mild to moderate mental health problem. These include counselling, peer support, practical support, and a dedicated service for young people with Autistic Spectrum disorder. They also provide an out-of-hours service for those experiencing a mental health crisis. 

MS-UK 

MS-UK was established in 1993 and is a small national cause that supports anyone affected by multiple sclerosis; to empower them and live healthier and happier lives. MS is a disease of the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). MS-UK provides vital services such as a national helpline, a bi-monthly magazine, a wellness centre based in Essex and the only national counselling service for people living with MS in the UK. The charity supports anyone affected by MS through key services and you can help by playing the make a smile lottery in aid of MS-UK today. 

Tenovus Cancer Care 

At Tenovus Cancer Care their aims are simple. They want to help prevent, treat and find a cure for cancer. They do this by offering support, advice and treatment to cancer patients and their loved ones. They also promote healthy lifestyles and fund cancer research to find new ways to prevent it, diagnose it, and treat it. Their mission is to bring practical advice, emotional support, and treatment to where it matters most, the heart of the community. They help people with cancer and their loved one’s cope, and through their vital research, they offer hope. 

The Medway Hospital Charity 

The Medway Hospital Charity exists to fund projects for patient and staff benefit. Thanks to your generous donations, they have been able to buy much-valued additional equipment, refurbish wards and patient areas, plus commission training and health and wellbeing projects over and above the NHS budget. Support The Medway Hospital Charity with make a smile lottery while giving supporters the opportunity to win cash prizes too.  

The Rob George Foundation 

The Rob George Foundation was founded in loving memory of Rob George, who died aged 21 on 9th December 2013 following a long battle with leukaemia. 

The Rob George Foundation has been set up to provide practical and financial support to young people with life threatening or terminal illnesses. To provide financial support to young people who demonstrate exceptional commitment in the worlds of sport or the performing arts, but may be held back by their financial situation from pursuing their goals. 

 Wessex Heartbeat 

Wessex Heartbeat exists to ensure that people being treated at the Wessex Cardiac Centre are provided with the best possible care and support. Cardiac treatment is often a very long and complicated journey, affecting many people in separate ways. Their charity work over the years has allowed them to ensure that everybody; from patients to friends and relatives will be supported every step of the way.