A Hitchin woman nearly missed out on a lottery windfall – but was tracked down thanks to social media.

https://twitter.com/IsabelHospice/status/974302953791090689

Corine Pendry won Isabel Hospice’s bumper lottery prize of £1,000 but her cheque went to the address she had signed up with eight years ago – when she lived in Welwyn.

With no forwarding address, the cheque came back to the hospice with a “return to sender” notice.

The hospice’s social media team sprang into action with tweets and Facebook posts.

Corine, who had since moved to Hitchin, was eventually tracked down by her friend Victoria Wells from Welwyn.

Corine said: “I was at a parents’ evening when I saw a text from my friend telling me about the hospice’s appeal to find me.

“I couldn’t believe they had gone to so much effort to get in touch.

“I’d signed up for the Isabel Hospice lottery in 2010 around the time my dad had died.

“I never really thought about it again until I won £1,000.”

Isabel Hospice runs a weekly lottery with a top prize of £1,000 which is given out every Friday.

The money raised from the lottery goes directly towards helping people with a terminal diagnosis, both in their homes, with the Hospice at Home team, at the In-Patient Unit in Welwyn Garden City and at locations across eastern Hertfordshire, with the Living Well with Isabel sessions including seated Tai Chi, Feel Good Singing and Fatigue and Breathlessness classes.

Corine thanked the team at Isabel Hospice and said: “I’m going to use my windfall for my girls’ weekend away later this year, and treat my girlfriends to a glass of champagne... or two!”

To sign up and be in with the chance of winning £1,000 next Friday, go to www.isabelhospice.org.uk/lottery or call 01707 382594.