By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 19 June, 2015
Cancer sufferer Melvin Barratt has won £1,000 after buying a scratch card from the charity which has helped him.
Mr Barratt, who lives near Fosse Park, Leicester won the money earlier this month.
The 59-year-old has been supporting the LOROS Hospice in Groby Road ever since he was diagnosed with bowel and bladder cancer seven years ago.
The grandfather of two said: "When I was told I had cancer, I was a wreck.
"I didn't want to live anymore, it was the worst time of my life.
"I thought it was the end for me. Every day I was wishing to die and then my doctor referred me to LOROS."
Melvin started going to day therapy at LOROS, where he played games and met fellow patients.
He said: "LOROS was magic," added Melvin, who has two grandchildren.
"The people at LOROS became like my family, they turned my life around.
"It's a lovely place. When I arrived I was greeted with a cuppa and then it was up to me what I did – I could just sit and read the newspaper if I wanted to."
"I looked forward to Wednesdays because that was the day I was going to LOROS."
Ever since Melvin started experiencing the services at LOROS, he said he has been buying scratch cards on a regular basis.
"I do little bits and pieces for LOROS," he said.
"But I couldn't believe it when I actually won on one of their scratch cards."
Melvin, who bought the winning £1 scratch card from the LOROS shop in Coalville, said he is planning on spending the money on his motorbikes and cars.
Melvin, who has responded well to treatment and is attending regular check-ups, said: "I will definitely continue buying my LOROS scratch cards."
LOROS lotteries manager Liz Singleton said she was delighted to hear one of the hospice's patients had won
She said: "It was lovely to be able to hand over a cheque for £1,000 to somebody who has such a personal connection with the hospice," she said.
