Foster to Champion Hospices' Fundraising Rights

4.41.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 1st Dec 2004

Bath's MP, Don Foster, has moved an important amendment to the Government's Gambling Bill to deflect a new threat to local hospices.

Currently, many hospices minimise fund-raising costs by running lotteries of present membership or 'ticketless' lotteries, but the Government's plans may mean that all hospices that raise funds through lotteries will have to print and distribute separate tickets for each draw.

Don, who is Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, will present his amendments at the Bill's committee stage due tomorrow (Thursday).

Commenting, Don said:

"Many hospices receive no Government funding so they must rely heavily on sources such as lotteries.

"To enable them to continue their excellent work, they must not have their funding compromised by excessive red tape.

"Some hospices are even warning their future viability will be threatened as a consequence of the flawed Gambling bill."