A POWYS is delighted to have won the first prize in the Wales Air Ambulance’s autumn raffle after forgetting she bought tickets!
Patti Sanderson, from Dolanog, name came out on top to win £3,000 just in time for the festive season.
The online raffle was run in aid of the lifesaving Charity over a 7-week period and sold over 12,000 tickets throughout the country. It incredibly raised over £14,000, which also included donations from the raffle players.
The first prize winner received £3,000 with a second prize of £500 and a third prize of £300.
Reflecting on the win a surprised Patti, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won first prize in the raffle, I had completely forgotten that I had bought tickets, so the phone call to say that I had won first prize was a delight. I still can’t quite believe it.”
Patti’s family and friends were all ‘pleased and delighted’ that she had won the top prize just before Christmas.
She said: “I don’t have any firm plans for what to spend the money on, but I will probably indulge in some plants for the garden. I also make clothes for myself, family and friends, so perhaps a bit of a splurge on fabric, and, of course, a few extra Christmas treats! I retired in 2023, so winning £3,000 helps greatly in so many ways.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Before retiring Patti worked in social care for 47 years and saw many lives saved by the Wales Air Ambulance, which is one of the reasons why she supports the all-Wales Charity.
She said: “I live in a rural area and the Wales Air Ambulance service is a vital asset in getting medical help to people in emergencies.
“I believe that this greatly increases the chance of saving lives and achieving good outcomes for people who have had accidents or suffered a health emergency.
“Through my work in social care I saw many instances where lives were saved because of the air ambulance service. I greatly admire the dedication and bravery of the staff who make the service possible.”
The second prize winner who received £500 was Sian Tucker from Swansea and the third-place prize of £300 went to Moria Atkin, also from Swansea.
Phae Jones, the Charity’s Director of Income Generation, said: “Congratulations to the three winners. What a lovely surprise it was for Patricia to win the £3,000 after forgetting she entered.
“Through Patti’s work she has seen firsthand how important the service is to the people of Wales.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Wales Air Ambulance’s Autumn Raffle. You’ve all played a part in saving lives across Wales. The online raffle was a huge success, and we’re delighted for the prize winners.
“They’ve each received a prize just in time for the festive season.
“I hope by entering the raffle, it has helped make the prize winners’ Christmas that extra bit special.”
