Derrick never misses his weekly trip to the Malton shop. He pops in like clockwork, grabs a lottery ticket, and enjoys catching up with shop manager Denise and the volunteers. It’s a little ritual that he and his wife, Valerie, have grown to love. But this week’s visit turned out to be far more exciting than just a friendly chat.
“When I saw the winning number and the amount, I honestly thought, ‘Am I seeing this right?’” Derrick recalled with a laugh. “I even called my wife over to check, but she didn’t have her glasses on and just said, ‘You’ve won £550.’” When they double-checked, they still couldn’t believe it. “It just goes to show—if you buy a ticket, you really do have a shot at winning some serious money!”
Derrick already has plans for the winnings. “Valerie told me to ‘blow it and enjoy it,’ so we’re planning a few UK holidays,” he said. Their excitement is contagious, and it’s clear that the joy isn’t just about the money—it’s about shared moments and little celebrations along the way.
The Malton shop, where Derrick has been a regular, is more than just a lottery stop. “It’s brilliant,” he said. “The staff and volunteers are amazing—we really enjoy coming in to see them every week.” Denise Millington, the shop manager, echoed that sentiment. “It’s always a pleasure to see Derrick. We have a laugh every time checking his age to make sure he’s old enough to buy a lottery ticket! Honestly, this couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Derrick has a long history of supporting charity in his own way. From selling fruit and kindling for log burners at a small stall on his garden wall, he has raised funds for multiple causes over the years. Currently, all his proceeds go to Saint Catherine’s, which makes this win feel even more special—a local hero supporting a local cause, now rewarded in a fun and unexpected way.
Susan Stephenson, fundraising operations coordinator at Saint Catherine’s, expressed her excitement about Derrick’s win. “It was such a pleasure to meet Derrick. We’re thrilled he’s one of our winners. The lottery is a fantastic way for people to support us regularly because all proceeds go directly toward patient care. We love hearing stories like Derrick’s—it’s what makes this all worthwhile.”
For those inspired by Derrick’s story, joining the Saint Catherine’s lottery is simple. Anyone over the age of 18 can play for just £2 per entry. Tickets are available at any Saint Catherine’s charity shop, the Barn Boutique, and Flavours Bistro. You can also set up a direct debit for convenience, making it easy to support patient care while keeping a chance to win each week.
The weekly prizes are enticing: £1,500 for the top prize, followed by £200, £50, £25 (twice), and £10 (ten times). On top of that, there’s a rollover prize that can grow to a whopping £20,000. It’s a fun, low-cost way to make a difference while keeping a little excitement in your week—just like Derrick and Valerie experienced.
Derrick’s story reminds us that small weekly habits can lead to joyful surprises. Whether it’s a brief chat with friendly faces at your local shop or supporting a cause you care about, sometimes a simple ticket is all it takes to create an unforgettable moment.
Login