December 10, 2013 11.41 am This story is over 122 months old

Lottery winners donate gifts to Lincoln hospital

Christmas comes early: Multi-million lottery winners have donated hand-knitted garments and gifts to babies and staff at Lincoln County Hospital.

A couple who won £4.5 million on the National Lottery have brought some early Christmas cheer to families and staff of the Lincoln County Hospital by donating hand-knitted baby garments and gifts.

Jim and Maureen Emerton, who recently moved to Lincolnshire, won the £4,449,039 jackpot in the Lotto draw on in March 2012.

Since the win, the couple have taken early retirement, allowing Maureen more time to enjoy her pastime of knitting.

Normally, Maureen knits various items for babies including hats, gloves, tops and blankets and donates them to a local hospital or hospice.

After speaking with staff at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, who suggested the County Hospital’s Neonatal Unit, Jim and Maureen presented the gifts in recognition of the work they do, “especially over the Christmas period”.

Yvonne Truepenny, ULHT Neonatal Matron said: “We are all very grateful to Jim and Maureen for the time taken to produce all of these lovely items, and the time they have taken to bring in the clothes which will benefit so many babies.

“We also didn’t expect them to turn up with gifts for staff and nurses…they have made a huge impression on everyone and for some Christmas has certainly come early.”