North East Council Worker Wins First Ever Vertu Car Giveaway
A Durham woman has picked up the keys to her new car after winning a competition for a Hyundai TUCSON – just in time to help fund her house move.
Lisa West, 47, a Programme Management Officer for Hartlepool Borough Council, has won Vertu’s inaugural Car Giveaway, bagging herself a 22-reg Hyundai TUCSON after entering the competition promoted by JLS star Aston Merrygold on social media.
From seeing a post on Vertu’s Facebook to entering on their website, Lisa had no idea she would be the lucky winner.
The mother-of-three, who also shares her home with her husband, a cockerpoo and a miniature dachshund, was stunned when Vertu contacted her via telephone from inside the prize car, using its Apple CarPlay system to reveal she was the winner.
The free to enter competition series, launched at CarFest, attracted thousands of entries and will run for the rest of 2025 with the next Vertu Car Giveaway car being revealed very shortly.
Lisa said: “I was completely shocked when I got the call - I thought it was a joke at first! I’ve entered a few competitions over the years hoping to win a car, so to finally tick this off my bucket list feels surreal. The timing couldn’t be better either because we’re in the middle of trying to move house, and selling my current MINI will give us a really helpful cash boost.”
Lisa currently drives a MINI, which she coincidentally purchased from Vertu MINI Durham - the same dealership where she has just collected her Hyundai TUCSON prize.
With three children and two dogs to ferry around, Lisa is delighted that the larger vehicle will make a big difference to family life.
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu Motors plc, said: “We are absolutely delighted for Lisa, our first ever winner of the Vertu Car Giveaway. Knowing the TUCSON will genuinely help her and her family, makes it even more rewarding. We intended for the Giveaway to bring a bit of joy to people’s lives, and Lisa’s reaction reminded us of exactly that.
“Congratulations, Lisa! We hope you enjoy your new car!”