A Veteran of the Royal Engineers is coining in the cash after he scooped £1,000 in a fundraising lottery in aid of Scotland’s largest Veterans charity. 

George Donald, from Motherwell, is a regular player of the Erskine Lottery and uses it as an opportunity to support his fellow Veterans when they need it most. 

As Scotland’s foremost provider of care for Veterans and their spouses, Erskine provides unrivalled nursing, residential and dementia care in three homes throughout Scotland. 

Erskine also assists younger Veterans who require help to begin the next chapter of their lives, offering social, recreation and training facilities at the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre at the charity’s base in Bishopton, Renfrewshire. 

A former Royal Engineer, George served for almost six years with 59 Independent Commando Squadron, RE, an integral unit within 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines. Upon leaving the Forces, he then enjoyed a career with Strathclyde Police. 

George has been a keen supporter of Erskine since seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication of the home’s staff when working as part of the security detail for a visit to the charity by HRH Prince Philip to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic which ran from 1939 to 1945. 

George said: “I have never forgotten how impressed I was with both the staff and residents when on two occasions I visited Erskine through work. The lottery is a fantastic way to raise a bit of money for Erskine, and the chance to win a little bit back is always a bonus.” 

And George revealed he has kindly donated £100 of his winnings to Erskine, adding: “It seemed only right and fitting to do. After all, we are all Veterans together. I’ve never won anything before.” 

The rest of George’s winnings are already almost spent, having booked a couple of weekends away with his wife Anne. However, there is still some leftover funds that will be put towards another holiday. 

The win has made George keen to raise awareness about the sterling work carried out by Erskine. He said: “Anne and I are intending popping down to the Erskine Veterans Village soon as we hear they have a very fine café there. It will be great to see some of my fellow Veterans and the magnificent work provided by the staff to ensure they are given the care that they richly deserve.” 

If you would like to have a chance of winning a prize in the Erskine Veterans Lottery visit lottery.erskine.org.uk to sign up. 

To find out more about Erskine Veterans Charity’s work please visit our website at www.erskine.org.uk, follow on twitter @ErskineCharity via Facebook www.facebook.com/ErskineVeteransCharity or listen to Erskine Veterans Radio at Erskine.org.uk/radio. To donate directly to Erskine, please visit Erskine.org.uk/donate. 

Erskine Veterans Charity is the trading name of Erskine Hospital | Company No. SC174103 | Registered Charity SC006609