Severn Hospice’s lottery is set to make its 1000th draw on Good Friday.

The charity draw will see one lucky player scoop the top prize of £2,000 plus a giant Easter egg, 199 other cash prizes will also be up for grabs.

Severn Hospice’s lottery started 19 years ago and currently funds support for one in six patients cared for by the charity at its sites in Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury; Apley Castle, Telford; Newtown, Powys and out in the community.

Carol Twomey, Severn Hospice lottery manager, said: “The very first draw for our lottery took place on February 24, 1995. Back then we only had a few hundred people in the draw but now we have 24,000 regular players.

“As well as the top prize of £2,000 the winner will also receive a giant 14lbs Easter egg. The egg has been kindly donated by Wyatt Brothers Ltd in memory of Jonathan Wyatt who was cared for by the hospice before he passed away in 2013.

Carol added: “Tickets for our 1000th draw are on sale in our network of shops as well as reception at our hospices in Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury and Apley Castle, Telford until April 11.

“Our lottery is a great way to support Severn Hospice; last year alone it contributed £1million to support our vital work across Shropshire and Mid Wales.”

Jamie Doran, business development manager at water well drilling company Wyatt Brothers Ltd, said: “We are so very grateful to the hospice for the care and support they gave to Jonathan and his family at such a sad time. We wanted to give something back as a small token of our appreciation and hope the egg will help raise funds so the hospice can care for more local people.

“The egg is one of just 200 made each year and is the largest Easter egg produced in the whole country. Whoever wins the top prize won’t have to worry about buying chocolate for a while.”

More information about Severn Hospice’s lottery is available at www.severnhospice.org.uk or by calling 01743 455 319.