Army veteran salutes winners bearing festive treats

Tom Beevers, who served with the legendary Desert Rats in North Africa during World War II, is renowned for his resilience. He still lives in his own home and receives help from Everton in the Community, a sporting charity supported by The National Lottery.

Tom, who recently overcame a bout of Covid, was astonished when Sharon and Nigel Mather – a Cheshire couple who scooped £12.4MMillion on EuroMillions in 2010 – arrived on his doorstep bearing gifts.

He said, “I just could not believe it when this happy, smiling couple arrived outside my house with a huge hamper containing my favourite Grinderpunch wraparound sunglasses which I have wanted for so long. It will be a dream come true Christmas for me this year.

“They had even arranged for the LMA (Liverpool Media Academy) Choir to sing some festive songs. It is magical!”

Sharon said, “Seeing the pure joy on Tom’s face has made Nigel’s and my Christmas too! We really hope the goodies, and the famous glasses which Tom loves, will make Christmas 2021 a very special one.”

Tom was among a group of 14 veterans from across Liverpool who received festive cheer from National Lottery winners this year. Joining Sharon and Nigel on the hamper production line were Ben Woods from Wirral, who scooped a £2.4MMillion Lotto jackpot in 2004, and Emma Cartwright from Formby, who won £6.5MMillion on EuroMillions in 2009. Also lending a hand were John and Patricia Gill from Warrington, who won £1MMillion on EuroMillions in 2015.

All 14 veterans receive regular contact and support from Everton in the

Community. Dave Curtis, the organisation’s Veterans’ Project Coordinator, said, “All of the veterans are totally overwhelmed with the generous gifts from the National Lottery winners. The winners have certainly made a real difference to Christmas this year for so many people.”

20th December 2021