Huge telly to be raffled off at Idlewells fundraiser for children's heart charity

One Great Day is a UK-wide initiative for shopping centres to use their position in their communities to raise awareness and funds for children’s charities.

The UK-wide charity Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital will benefit from half of every centre’s funds raised - the other half goes to a locally nominated child-focussed charity.

Idlewells Shopping Centre has opted to donate half of the money it raises to a very special local charity Patches Heart Group. Patches supports children and families affected by heart problems.

Centre Manager, Chloe O’Donnell said: “We’ve supported Patches previously,” said. “It is an amazing charity that does amazing support work for children and the parents who have found themselves on a very difficult journey. We hope we can present them with a worthy sum to enable them to keep doing what they do for our local community in times of crisis.”

Idlewells has purchased and donated the TV, in the hope that it will generate interest and sales of raffle tickets for the charity.

Tickets will cost £1 each and will be available to buy at selected stores this week - and in the mall on the day. Every penny from sales go to the two charities.

In addition to the ‘monster’ raffle, there will be a children’s workshop and a tombola of prizes donated by retailers within the Centre. Last year, Idlewells won an award for the greatest retailer participation within the event, thanks to our generous stores’ donations for a prize tombola.

The Lammas Leisure Centre, close to Idlewells, is also getting involved - the team has donated a 3 month membership pass to the tombola, and will be holding a prize hook-a-duck competition on the day, giving away healthy fun prizes, such as free swimming.

Gilly Swift of popular cake decorating store Cake Fusion, is running the workshop - one of the children’s favourites - Decorate a cupcake. This time, the children’s workshop will require a small donation from participants in a bid to boost fundraising.

“We never usually ask for payment for our workshops and events, but we think that as a one-off nobody will mind,” continued Chloe. “Sutton people are known for their generousity, so we hope to raise a decent amount with these 3 One Great Day activities combined.”

Idlewells’ fundraising champion, and familiar face in Idlewells - Alan Hupton, will be joining the campaign by collecting for One Great Day from Monday 29th May until 6th June. Alan has raised in excess of a staggering £40,000 for Air Ambulance in Idlewells, since January 2013.