Car Raffle 09 Launch

Event sponsors Volkswagen Group UK Ltd have this year donated a bright red, re-launched VW Polo 1.2l, which will be on display until January 3rd.

Gathered to celebrate the launch of the event’s 21st Birthday are: Doreen Labastide of Bosom Pals, Kelly Watson and Paul Buckett of Volkswagen UK Limited, Kerry Arthur from the Community Foundation, Robert Goodman Director of thecentre:mk and Julia Upton Community Foundation.

Local grant-making charity, the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, organises the raffle each year, with the generous support of sponsors Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited and thecentre:mk who provide the display space.   All money raised through ticket sales goes to support local charities and community groups across the city.  Last year the car raffle raised almost £40,000 for the local community.

Almost 100 local charities and community groups have booked to sell the £1 tickets over the Christmas period this year. Bosom Pals, local Breast Cancer Support group have taken part in the car raffle for the last 19 years and were selling tickets on the first day of this year’s event. The funds they raised through last year’s car raffle went towards items on the wish lists of Willen Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Care unit to support the patients in their care.  

Doreen Labastide of the group explained why being involved in the car raffle is important to them:
“As well as directly raising funds to support patients in cancer care, the car raffle helps us to raise awareness of our support service in the community.  Each year we see several new members joining our group after having met us this way”.

So, next time you’re in the thecentre:mk, make sure you stop by the car to buy your tickets, they make great Christmas gifts!  The Community Foundation extend grateful thanks to Volkswagen Group (UK) Limited for the car, and to thecentre:mk for donating the space in which the car is displayed. Good luck to all of this year’s ticket sellers.

Each group retains at least 50% of the income from the tickets they sell, with the remainder used by the Foundation’s grant making programme to support local community projects and events.