Former Melton police officer scoops Rainbows jackpot

A former police officer who has been touring with a motor-biking teddy bear to raise awareness of Rainbows has scooped the top prize in our Superdraw.

Roy Edwards, of Melton Mowbray, is a member of the International Police Association, a group of serving and retired police officers. He meets other members from across the East and West Midlands, who tour the UK and the world on motorbikes.

In 2020, they decided to recruit a teddy bear – named Juno – to the group, who sends postcards to the children and young people at our hospice. Juno, who is dressed as a police officer, has been abiding by Covid restrictions but is hoping to get back on the road again soon and visit us. 

Roy supports us in other ways and last month, he scooped the £3,000 jackpot on our Superdraw. Roy is also a member of our £1 a week lottery.

Roy said: “It is my pleasure to be able to support Rainbows in varied ways and it is so easy to play the weekly lottery and the Superdraw. I would encourage people to sign up because you just never know what you might win, I certainly didn’t expect to get the top prize; it was such a surprise.

“The teddy bear is a lovely bit of fun. Although we haven’t been able to at the moment, we like to meet up regularly on our motorbikes and travel as much as possible.

“We think Rainbows is a fantastic charity so we came up with the idea of involving the teddy bear. We thought it would be lovely for the children and young people to receive postcards from the bear as he travels across the UK and the world. And once restrictions allow, we hope to take him to the hospice on our motorbikes to visit the children, young people and staff.”

Jennifer Varnam, Lottery Supporter and Engagement Coordinator at Rainbows, said: “The Superdraw plays a crucial part in raising the necessary funds needed to keep Rainbows running and, on average, raises around £60,000 each year.

“People who buy tickets, and those who are part of our weekly lottery, make a difference to lives of the children, young people and families we support each and every day. And hopefully if you win a prize, it will make a difference to you too.

“We look forward to seeing Juno, Roy and his team at the hospice as soon as we are able to welcome visitors again.”

To find out more about the Rainbows Lottery, visit rainbows.co.uk/lottery