If you’re stuck for what to buy people this Christmas, don’t waste money on socks, ties and shopping vouchers – St Giles Hospice has a great gift idea that’s exciting all year around.

Giving a St Giles Hospice Lottery membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help provide high-quality specialist care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

It also gives a friend or family member the chance to win over £3,000 in prizes through the weekly lottery draw – with one lucky winner scooping a £2,000 jackpot every week.

In addition to the chance to win cash prizes, all players receive a Discount Card entitling them to a discount at over 100 local shops and outlets for the duration of their lottery membership.

Hospice Lottery membership costs £1 a week and is available as a quarterly, half-yearly or annual gift, priced £13, £26 and £52, respectively.

The lucky recipient will receive a personalised Christmas card with their game number, and – if the gift is for a year’s membership – they will also receive a cute and cuddly St Giles 2007 teddy bear.

The great thing about this gift is that when the lottery numbers are drawn, it’s not just the lucky ticket-holders who win. With more than £1m raised through the lottery last year, one in five of the patients cared for by St Giles Hospice is now funded by lottery players.

Richard Simmonite, St Giles Hospice Promotions’ Commercial Manager, says: “Membership of our charity lottery is the perfect gift this Christmas, giving the recipient an exciting chance to win cash prizes every week as well as the reassuring feeling that even if they aren’t lucky, the proceeds from their present are helping local people.

“Thanks to thousands of players across the region taking part during 2007, the hospice lottery has helped to provide hundreds of people with care and support throughout this past year.

“But we still don’t not have enough money to care for everyone who needs our help, which is why a St Giles Lottery membership is a gift not just for Christmas, but for the year to come too.”

Proceeds from the lottery, play a vital role in ensuring the continued care of patients cross the hospice’s catchment area, from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Further information on how to give St Giles Lottery membership as a gift this Christmas is available by clicking here to download a flyer, calling the lottery office on 0845 370 6580, or visiting www.stgileshospice.com/lottery.