Children 1 - 0 Vandals
Scottish Lottery winners have joined forces to refurbish a charity's playhouse after vandals tried to burn it down
Last updated 23rd Mar 2023
Lottery winners from across Glasgow and the west have played their part in restoring a playhouse for disabled children destroyed by vandals.
Alongside other Scottish winners, Fiona and Bill McKenna, from Dunbartonshire, and Alison and John Doherty, from Renfrewshire, spent two days painting and furnishing the jungle-themed den at The Yard - a charity providing adventure play opportunities for children with disabilities.
The original playhouse, which was built and gifted to the charity five years ago, was vandalised earlier this year, leaving young people and their parents "devastated".
Two of Scotland's biggest Lottery winners, Lesley and Fred Higgins, who won £58 million in 2018, were among those who helped rebuild the playhouse.
Mr Higgins said: "Like all our fellow winners here today, we were devastated when we found out what had happened. Our immediate reaction was to find a way to help.
"We understand how much the playhouse has been loved over the years and how important it has been to so many young people. "
Claire Hermon and Pauline Rice bring their seven-year-old triplets Olivia, Bella and Oliver to The Yard.
Ms Rice said: "When I heard about the fire at the gingerbread house, I was absolutely gobsmacked and, to be honest, devastated as The Yard is so special to us and one of our go-to places."
Also joining in were winners Ray Storey, from Dundee, who won £1.5 million in 2015; Libby Elliot, from Fife, who won £2.1 million in 2012; Jannette and Ken Wedgeworth, from Loch Ryan, who won £1 million in 2016; Brian and Ann Sharp, from Musselburgh, who won £2 million in 2010; Roberta and Barry Little, from Dumfries, who won £1 million in 2013 and Sheila and Duncan Davidson, from Alford, who won £4.5 million in 2012.
Gill Thomson, service development manager at The Yard, said: "We are so grateful to the big-hearted National Lottery winners for stepping in and supporting us with their time and effort.
"It has been a much-loved and well-used facility since we were gifted it and we hoped it would be with us for many years, bringing joy to lots of young people - and now it looks like it once again will be."