The Rotary Clubs of Aberdeen and North-east have raised an incredible £31,686 for local good causes through their annual car raffle, with £21,250 going to Charlie House as the primary benefitting charity.
The 2023 event was hosted at Bon Accord Aberdeen, where the brand-new Suzuki Swift prize supplied by local car dealer, C&M McDonald, was on display. Commencing in April, 2023 the raffle ran for nine months before the random draw on Christmas Eve announced Lorraine Eldridge from Marykirk as the winner.
The impressive sum raised for Charlie House will go towards the charity’s Big Build Appeal, an initiative to develop a support centre in Aberdeen for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. Once built, this facility will ensure North-east families don’t have to travel more than 100 miles for vital specialist care.
Emma Leiper Finlayson, director of fundraising at Charlie House said: “We are blown away by the outstanding contribution we have received from the 2023 car raffle, which will significantly support our Big Build Appeal.
“This annual event is not only exciting for the public because of the high value prize on offer, but it is also rewarding as it’s an accessible form of fundraising that makes a big difference to a number of organisations and charities. We’re very grateful to the Rotary Clubs, Bon Accord Aberdeen and C&M McDonald for supporting our cause.
“From everyone at Charlie House, we’d like to say thank you to all those who purchased a ticket for the raffle, your generosity will help us make a difference for many families.”
The remaining £10,436 will be divided equally between the 23 participating Rotary Clubs to go towards other good local causes and charities in the region.
Alan Pirie, chairman of the organising committee added: “2023 has been a milestone year for us as not only did we manage to raise an incredible amount of money, but we also sold our 1 millionth ticket since we commenced the annual raffle 23 years ago.
“This marks more than £1 million worth of fundraising over this time period which has gone towards a number of local charities and good causes and has helped make a massive difference to communities in the area.
“On behalf of all the Rotary Clubs involved in the car raffle, I’d like to extend thanks to all those who supported the raffle and bought a ticket; to the Bon Accord Centre for hosting the raffle and helping raise such great awareness, and of course to C&M McDonald, for supporting with such a fantastic prize.
“This is the fourth year that we have supported Charlie House via the raffle and we are very proud of the fact that despite the covid years, we have still managed to donate more than £90,000 to the Big Build Appeal.”
Carol McDonald of C&M McDonald: “We’ve been part of the car raffle now for two years, and it’s an event we’re passionate about supporting due to how it positively impacts important causes in the area.
“It’s always a pleasure handing over the keys to the winner. Congratulations again to Lorraine!”
Charlie House launched the Big Build Appeal in 2018 to raise vital funds for the support centre and has raised more than £5m so far. For more information about Charlie House and its Big Build Appeal, click here.
To find out more about the Rotary Clubs, click here.
