From Diane Weber, fund-raising chairman, Jersey Hospice Care.
ALTHOUGH Jersey Hospice Care has replied directly to Mr Hatton, who complained in the JEP Letters page about the cost of bringing celebrities over to make the draw for our recent £1m Lottery, it is clear that the public criticism from Ann Phillips is based on inaccuracies.

For our first £1m Lottery in 2007 we sold 5,000 tickets, but in 2008 we increased this to 6,000 tickets and also substantially increased the value of the nine additional prizes – a very popular format which was used again this year.

We have invited celebrities for each of the three years that the lottery has been in existence and we were thrilled that once again we had four delightful people who were keen to be part of the event.

As in previous years the celebrities, without exception, gave their time freely and Jersey Hospice Care paid only for flights and accommodation. As part of the Grand Hotel Jersey’s generous sponsorship of the event, their accommodation was at a favourable rate. The cost to Jersey Hospice Care this year amounted to £2,070, which we feel was a worthwhile investment on an event which raised £500,000.

In addition, we are extremely grateful that donations from celebrities have exceeded the cost of fares and accommodation to date. There are very few other expenses associated with the draw, thanks to the marvellous sponsorship by local individuals and companies.

The celebrities also brought much pleasure to patients, staff and volunteers at Clarkson House during their brief stays in Jersey. Their professionalism is such that they simply light up the room whenever they meet any of the patients, either at day care or in the in-patient unit, and this is an invaluable contribution in itself.

This year’s celebrities were all very moved by their visit to Clarkson House and commented on the excellent use to which the proceeds from the lottery will be put.

We are always looking for ways to improve the event, and we are very grateful to the local media who help to promote our draw. There is no doubt that inviting well-known people does make an impact and generates further interest.

We hope that the above facts will tell their own story of why we invite celebrities, and how we are able to keep associated expenses to the minimum, thanks once again to the generosity of Islanders.