A WINCHESTER hospice charity that cares for children and young people is celebrating after hearing it will receive Ryanair’s largest ever UK charity scratch card donation.

The airline has donated €50,000 to Naomi House & Jacksplace, which cares for some 320 of the region’s most medically vulnerable youngsters.

The charity offers respite, emergency, end of life and bereavement care.

Ryanair’s contribution, from the proceeds of the sale of scratch cards, could cover the costs of employing a specialist paediatric nurse for an entire year.

Paul Morgan, head of fundraising at Naomi House and Jacksplace, said:“Ryanair have supported us for some years but the enormity of this most recent donation really came out of the blue. Everyone at the hospices are talking about it and we are extremely grateful to Ryanair for this serious boost to our fundraising efforts.”

Aoife Greene, Ryanair’s head of retail, added: “Ryanair is delighted to support Naomi House and Jacksplace, which does so much to help children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families.”

“Over the past four years we have seen first-hand the incredible work that they do, and are delighted to partner with them again as one of our preferred charities for 2018. The hospice is one of many charities across Europe to receive ongoing donations from Ryanair’s scratch cards, where customers can win some fantastic prizes while helping out many great causes.”