IN answer to a letter from Mr and Mrs Roberts in The Citizen on Sept 9.

You wanted a reason why OAPs bought lottery tickets. As an OAP or senior citizen, which is a much nicer term, I will tell you why I, at least, spend a "whole pound" on a lottery ticket.

As you get on in years you do not have the ability to do a lot of the things that make life interesting. Nor do you have a lot of money to spare to do things for your family.

I have two children, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and would love to be able to help them. As to the worthy causes, that is the second thing I would love to be able to do and most certainly would.

My needs are few and I have no wish to be a millionaire, just to be able to help others, that would be my pleasure. Does this answer your question?

I must say you sound a very sad couple to write such a letter. I have no way of knowing whether you are senior citizens but my guess is that you are not, but one day you will be and if you have to rely on people like yourselves, heaven help you.

Betty Foslin

77 years young

Carnforth

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.