A brand new car is the top prize in GNAAS annual live-saving raffle.
The charity is giving one lucky person the chance to win a red Suzuki Alto, worth £5999.
In its two previous years, the raffle has contributed a total of more than £200,000 to the air ambulance, which is entirely dependent on donations to survive.
The closing date for entries is November 15th and the winner will be drawn on December 2nd – just in time for an extra Christmas treat.
Last year’s winner Alan Wade, of Ingleby Arncliffe, near Northallerton in North Yorkshire, bought 20 tickets at £1 each and drove away with the prize after the draw. The retired highways worker was already a member of the charity’s weekly lottery and had won prizes of £100 and £25 in the past.
Because the raffle is run by the charity itself, every penny raised goes towards supporting the life-saving service, which this week revealed its workload had increased by 40 per cent in the recent heat-wave. It operates out of bases at Langwathby, near Penrith, and Durham Tees Valley Airport near Darlington.
Fraser Brown, of Border Cars, which supplied the car and is supporting the charity in selling tickets, said: “The whole team at Border Cars are behind the service. Living in rural areas means the air ambulance bridges the gap in time it takes to arrive at hospital, and it saves many people being much worse off.
“Getting involved was a no brainer for us. We have raised money in the past because it touches the heart of everyone.”
The car will be visiting a number of shows close to Border Cars’ Carlisle base. At the events, tickets for the raffle can be purchased, and ticket holders can have a look at their potential prize.
The car has already been to Whitehaven Festival and Carlisle Motor Show and is due to attend Penrith Show, Lowther Game and Country Fair, and Cockermouth Show.
The charity wished to thank its car raffle supporters: Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group, Border Cars, Rockliffe Hall Luxury Golf and Spa Hotel, and CornShed events.
Tickets are just £1 and will be distributed to people on the charity’s mailing list. They can also be bought in books of 12 from the GNAAS website over the phone on 01325-487263.