Lottery winners put to work by baby charity

Daniel and Charlotte Peart won £1m on the lottery in 2018

A group of lottery winners has spoken of the importance of giving back while volunteering with a charity that supports newborn babies and their mothers.

The winners were put to work with Baby Basics - a charity in Lowestoft, Suffolk providing starter kits filled with toiletries, clothes and toys.

Lottery winners from the county as well as those in Essex and Peterborough helped fill the kits and hand sew washbags.

Judith Goddard, co-founder of Baby Basics, said the charity was "more vital than ever".

Several lottery winners helped the charity Baby Basics fill their newborn starter kits

Daniel Peart, 33, and his wife Charlotte Peart, 34, from Peterborough, won £1m in 2019, which they said has helped make life easier.

"You think you're dreaming and I cried a lot," Mrs Peart said.

"We're comfortable and we can do things that we wouldn't have ordinarily have done."

Speaking about helping to support mothers and families, Mrs Peart continued: "It's really hard, especially when you don't know what to expect - your first one is always the hardest.

"You think you have everything but you haven't, you're always missing something.

"This is one less thing that mums have to worry about."

Craig Harrison helped prepare prams for Baby Basics

Craig Harrison, 61, from Lowestoft, is recent lottery winner but he still works at The Jolly Sailors at Pakefield.

He won £100,000 every month for a year on a National Lottery scratchcard.

The win meant he could support his family but he kept working to ensure he kept his "feet on the ground".

"This is new to me, and I'm pleased I am here today," he said speaking about Baby Basics.

"I hope I can help [Baby Basics] out in the future."

Christine and Graham Howlett were able to retire in their 40s following their lottery win

Christine Howlett, 63, and Graham Howlett, 66, from Lowestoft, also won £2.2m 19 years ago.

Mrs Howlett, who said she had always done charity work even before the win, made all the toiletry bags for Baby Basics' event - 27 altogether.

"I really enjoyed it," she said.

Mr Howlett was able to retire at the age of 46 thanks to his win and buy both his daughters homes.

"It was nice to have the money worries and financial pressures taken off," he said.

Tracy Field still plays her same lottery numbers that won her £2.5m in 2008

Tracy Field, 56, from Benfleet, Essex, won £2.5m in 2008 with a paper ticket just after she finished breast cancer treatment.

"It meant that I didn't have to go to work and I could be at home more with the kids," Ms Field explained.

Ms Field said she finds the hands on charity work "fulfilling" and described the ability to give back as "amazing"

"I think time is something people don't have a lot to give, and we can give that," she said.

Judith Goddard co-founded Baby Basics after noticing a large number of mothers going into hospital with very little for themselves of their babies

Ms Goddard said Baby Basics had seen a massive demand in services as people struggled with the cost of living.

In the charity's first year back in 2016 they helped about 50 people. In 2023 it helped near on 400.

"It's lovely to be able to help people but it would be great if we weren't needed, unfortunately I can't see that happening," Ms Goddard said.

"Our main aim is for newborns and we give out a moses basket starter kit which includes all the toiletries necessary for mum and baby."

The kits also include clothes, a little toy and everything needed for a baby's first few weeks of life.