£28,000 St Oswald's Big Car Raffle Won By Retired Alnwick Dentist
A long-time supporter of St Oswald’s Hospice has driven away with a brand-new Hyundai i10 after winning the charity’s annual Big Car Raffle and helping to raise £28,000.
Alan French, a retired dentist from Alnwick, was revealed as this year’s winner after his ticket was drawn from nearly 30,000 entries to the raffle, which was run in partnership with Gateshead-based Vertu.
The prize – a 25-plate Hyundai i10 – came as a complete surprise to Alan and his wife, Patricia Stoddart, who have entered the raffle every year since it began ten years ago.
Alan has supported St Oswald’s for more than 20 years, a connection rooted in the outstanding care the Hospice provided to Patricia’s mother around 15 years ago.
Over the last decade, the raffle – a longstanding collaboration with the UK’s fourth largest motor retailer, Vertu – has raised a total of £458,000 to help fund St Oswald’s Hospice’s services.
This year’s total alone is the equivalent of 920 hours of specialist nursing care for patients and families across the North East.
Alan said: “We've been doing this raffle for 20 years, so it came as quite a shock, but a very nice shock, especially before Christmas. I've worked in the NHS for many years and we understand the advantages of places like the hospice, which do a tremendous job looking after people.
“My mother-in-law was in a few weeks before she died, and she was absolutely looked after beautifully.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive at Vertu, said: “We are delighted to continue to support St Oswald’s Hospice. The dedicated team there provide remarkable care for people in our region, and it’s fantastic to see the prize go to someone who has championed the Hospice for so many years.”
Lisa Gowland, Fundraising Communications and Marketing Officer, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who bought a ticket this year, and to Vertu for its ongoing support.
"Alan and Patricia have been loyal supporters of the Hospice for decades, and we couldn’t be happier for them. Their kindness helps us continue providing vital care to local people when they need it most.”