Two South Australian charities have each received a surprise they will never forget after their routine business meetings unexpectedly came with $50,000 donations to their respective causes.  

What was billed as a standard meeting to discuss potential support, turned into a huge surprise as the Lott via SA Lotteries surprised each charity with an early Christmas gift early Wednesday morning. 

The Childhood Cancer Association (CCA) and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation (WCHF) each received a $50,000 donation from the Lott to help support the important work they both do in the South Australian community.  

The Lott spokesperson Bronwyn Spencer was on hand to make the surprise donations. 

“Creating winning moments in people’s lives isn’t something new for us but to see the reactions from these amazing charities was incredible,” she said. 

“The impact these organisations and their hard-working teams have on South Australian families is incredible and we wanted to do something to help them continue the wonderful work they do for others.”

WCHF Head of Fundraising Corinne Habel was the first to receive the surprise donation. 

“Oh you are kidding me, we had no idea,” she said

“Oh this is wonderful, thank you! 

“This donation will go toward helping us upgrade the Home Equipment Centre. There are so many children that want to get home from hospital as quickly as possible, but require special equipment to make this happen. This will go a long way to helping children get back to their families sooner”. 

Second to receive a surprise $50,000 donation was the CCA, who provide 30 free services such as counselling, education support and accommodation to children and their families during their cancer journey.

CCA Chief Executive Cath O’Loughlin had no idea what was about to happen.

“Oh my goodness, this is so unexpected!” Cath exclaimed.

“Every year we support hundreds of local children with cancer, and their families, and to receive this surprise just before Christmas couldn’t be better timing.

“This donation will go a long way to provide essential services to families in need, right from their time of diagnosis, and from there we can tailor our support to meet the individual needs of each family throughout treatment and beyond.

“Thank you so much, the families battling with childhood cancer will be so grateful. I am speechless!”

The Lott is committed to giving back to the communities in which we operate and is dedicated to supporting initiatives that make a real difference across Australia.