Downholland residents share £60k Lottery Win

2 residents in Downholland are celebrating after netting £30,000 each thanks to their postcode. They landed the cash when L39 7JR was announced as a winner with People's Postcode Lottery, on Saturday, 27 August 2022. The winners have chosen to remain anonymous.

Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt shared her congratulations. She said:- "It's fantastic news for our two winners in Downholland. I hope they have something special in mind to treat themselves with the cash."

People's Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have helped raise over £900 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.

This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Animal Trust. Through grant funding, the trust supports charities and good causes with a mission to educate, support and promote animal welfare and conservation, and demonstrate the enjoyment that animals bring to people's lives. Funded charities include Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, and Riding for the Disabled Association.
 

As living costs continue to rise, Mersey Oddfellows, is urging residents to not cut back on socialising

THE not for profit group, which has 329 members across Liverpool and Wirral, many older or retired, is becoming increasingly concerned about the impact any reduced social contact could have on people's mental health and wellbeing, a lesson learnt from the Pandemic it says.

Oddfellows Branch Secretary, Margaret Hughes, says they are making extra efforts to ensure residents continue to have access to affordable social events and opportunities to socialise locally. She said:- "When you're stretched financially, you've no choice, but to look at how you can better budget or where to spend less. At the Oddfellows we're doing all we can to keep costs down. We want to remind people that socialising doesn't need to be expensive. We run a variety of events like coffee mornings that are FREE or just cost the price of a cuppa and we love to see our members and anyone who's interested in making friends. It's not where you get together that matters, but that you're just getting together. We saw the effect spending less time in the company of others had on our members during the Pandemic and we need to make sure that as we face another difficult time we stay in touch and support each other."

To celebrate national Friendship Month this September, Mersey Oddfellows is holding several inexpensive taster events. These events have been specifically designed to make newcomers feel at ease and give residents the chance to experience the supportive benefits of joining a friendship group.

Events include a Friendship Month Afternoon Tea on 10 September 2022, at the Egremont Community Centre, Wirral, starting at:- 2pm, a Friendship Month Quiz and Games Night, at the Childwall Abbey Hotel, Childwall, on:- 15 September 2022, at:- 7pm. Margaret added:- "Nobody should be without company if they want it. If you're finding it difficult to socialise in later life, or you'd like to build or extend your friendship circle, groups such as ours are a great way to meet like-minded people locally. We'd love to see you."

Research recently undertaken by the Oddfellows showed how those aged 60 plus in the UK have on average four close friends, with 3% mentioning that they don't have any. 9 out of 10 (87%) agreed that friends improved the quality of their life.

The August 2022 study also revealed how 68% of over 60's felt they could rely on their friends in times of need, with 65% agreeing that friends help them to get through difficult times.

Dr Jennifer Wild, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology, at Oxford University, and friend of the Oddfellows, describes friends as 'precious protectors,' and something you can never put a price on. She said:- "Friendship is a wonderful thing. Spending time with people who share our values and beliefs can be very motivating, and laughter with friends is proven to improve our mood. But friendship goes much deeper than that. The support that good friends provides can also be protective. Those with close companions they can lean on in tough times are less likely to suffer from depression. Friends offer perspectives more compassionate than our own, which helps to interrupt self critical thinking and improve our problem solving skill set."

In addition to attending regular social events, members of the Mersey Oddfellows can access financial benefits and welfare support, with a dedicated care helpline and citizens advice team, and a travel club. Oddfellows membership costs from £25 a year.

To register an interest in attending an Oddfellows Friendship Month taster event, or to receive a free local events pack, contact Margaret Hughes on:- 01516392777, or email:- Margaret.Hughes@OddFellows.Co.UK.

Further event and online open day details can be found at:- FriendshipMonth.Com, as well as a competition to win one of two Champagne afternoon tea gift boxes.

To read Dr Wild's series of friendship advice blogs, written especially for the Oddfellows, go to:- OddFellows.Co.UK.