Brantford - Brantford's health care system and charitable community support organizations will receive access to a new source of funds with the establishment of The Lorne and Elsie Hankinson Charitable Foundation Trust.

Lorne and Elsie, longtime residents of Brantford, are recent winners of the Lottario 6/49. The coupled shared a 5.03 million dollars 649 prize on August14, 2004

Lorne Hankinson, is a retiree of Ontario Hydro. Elsie Hankinson, also retired, is a long time educator having been employed in primary education by both the separate and public school boards serving Brantford. Both lottery winners are known for their support of Brantford's St. Pius X Parish Community as volunteers.

As a result of 'the freedom' arising from their recent lottery win, the Hankinson's have established a charitable trust intended to provide funding to local health care systems as well as a variety of other community charitable organizations. The Trust may also provide funding to needy individuals coping with the challenge of living with developmentally delayed adults, for needy developmentally delayed adults personally with extra special needs and to needy individuals pursuing a post-secondary education. The fund will be started by a 1.5 million dollar donation from Lorne and Elsie Hankinson.

Local individuals and organizations who wish to apply for funding through the Foundation are advised to request an application form. A web site is planned to provide application forms and guidelines. In the interim the Lorne and Elsie Hankinson Foundation Trust can be reached care of P.O. Box 488 Brantford Ontario. Because of the anticipated public interest, only requests for funding made consistent with an application process to be approved by the board of trustees will be considered by the trustees of the new Charitable Foundation.

Local Physician, Dr. Andrew Trevor, retired Brantford Lawyer Kenneth P. Lefebvre, and retired Hydro Employee Ed Flynn of St. George have agreed to serve with Lorne and Elsie Hankinson as the first trustees. The foundation's voluntary trustees will meet at least twice per year to consider grant applications.

Donations to the Foundation for the furtherance of its goals are welcome and tax receipts will be provided on request, but only after the trust is fully registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.