Dream-A-Way announce Mercedes winner
Dream-A-Way, the 2014 charity for Princesshay, were delighted to receive the support of Mercedes-Benz of Exeter with the generous donation of a Mercedes-Benz A Class 180 for their festive raffle.
Dream-A-Way was formed in 1993 and during 2014 they have proudly celebrated their 21st Anniversary. Throughout this time the charity has been managed by a strong team of volunteers, all of whom are unpaid and receive no expenses, payments or honoraria thus ensuring that all funds raised and generously donated are used to support local people with disabilities.
During 2014 Dream-A-Way volunteers have sold raffle tickets from their gazebo in Princesshay in all weathers.
Committee member and top ticket seller Jo Alford, was delighted with the number of tickets sold but saddened that the year was coming to an end.
Jo said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed selling tickets all year and I am so grateful to all the kind people who have supported Dream-A-Way by buying our draw tickets."
The raffle concluded on Christmas Eve when Dream-A-Way's youngest ambassador, eight-year-old Jamie Quick, from St Thomas was invited along to pull out the winning ticket.
The lucky winner, Mr Chris Brooke, was in the crowd at Princesshay finishing his Christmas shopping and was absolutely gobsmacked to win a fantastic Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Mr Brooke, who lives in London but is staying with his parents in Witheridge for Christmas, said: "I haven't won anything before and this is such an amazing prize I saw that the raffle was being drawn soon so brought some tickets.
“This will really make my Christmas so awesome I just can't believe I've won."
Luke Yetman from Mercedes-Benz of Exeter attended the raffle and was pleased to meet the lucky winner to arrange the presentation of his brand new Mercedes in the New Year.
Luke said “It was a great pleasure to support the Dream-A-Way charity this year.
“Our presence in Princesshay gave shoppers an opportunity to support a great cause as well as to view some of the latest models in the Mercedes-Benz range.
“I would like to thank everybody involved and wish our lucky winner many miles of happy motoring in his new Mercedes A Class.”
Andrew Littlejohns, Operations Manager for Princesshay Centre Management who has worked closely with Dream-A-Way throughout the year was overseeing the raffle and was really pleased to be able to meet and chat to Mr Brooke.
Andrew commented: “It was quite an experience to be able to have the car raffle winner on site and to witness his overall disbelief and joy at the same time. It has been an extremely productive year in terms of working with Dream-A-Way as our Princesshay Charity of the Year for 2014 not only from a fund raising perspective but also from being able to significantly raising the whole profile of the charity.
“It is extremely pleasing that we have played a part in their record breaking year with regards to their overall fund raising performance over the year and we wish them every success for the future.”
Dream-A-Way Chairman Jeff Merrett MBE organised the conclusion of the raffle and was amazed that the winner was in the crowd.
Jeff said: “The raffle was the highlight of our year in Princesshay and we were delighted to welcome Jamie and his family to come along to make the final draw.
“We have been so well supported by Andy and all the fantastic team at Princesshay and Luke, Fran, Tom and all the terrific team at Mercedes-Benz of Exeter.
“To be able to present such a stunning car as prize was just unbelievable. Chris was understandably stunned when ticket 07874 was drawn and it was a great feeling to be able to meet our lucky winner.”
Ticket sales for this raffle exceeded £19,000 and have helped Dream-A-Way towards another record breaking year.
With another busy year ahead, Dream-A-Way would like to sincerely thank all their supporters for the success so far.
To support Dream-A-Way or find out more please visit www.dream-a-way.org or call 07796 442144.
