June Veterans’ Lottery winner, Kevin Page, couldn’t believe his luck when we called to tell him he’d won the top prize in our first ever £75,000 jackpot draw.
Kevin was inspired to join our lottery after researching the World War Two Monte Cassino campaign. His father had fought in that campaign, and they visited the area in 2014 as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations.
“You become very sensitive to veterans when you've been on an emotional trip like that”, said Kevin, 69, from Worcester.
Then last year he saw a TV appeal from veteran, Jason Fox, and decided to sign up to the Veterans’ Lottery.
“I thought to myself after what all these people have put themselves through, they give their everything and all he's asking for is a tenner a month”.
Kevin’s own father had celebrated his 20th birthday fighting in the hills of Monte Cassino, in Italy in 1944.
His father struggled with the experience of losing friends in battle. He never spoke to him about it but relied on the help of friends.
His grandfather had also survived the Battle of the Somme in the Great War, buried up to the neck in mud for three days. It was only when someone tripped over him that he was rescued.
Kevin said his grandfather suffered ill health and mental trauma his entire life as a result.
“Now we move on to modern times and we realise that stress [PTSD] is a big problem among veterans, so we're more clued up and a foundation like this really is essential,” said Kevin.
Our Veterans’ Lottery has enabled the Veterans' Foundation to provide more than £23 million in grants since we launched it in 2016, which has helped fund hundreds of great initiatives that support those currently serving, veterans, and their families.
We increased the top prize to £75,000 in June, from the previous £50,000, and there are more prizes than ever to win each month.
