Totton local wins £1000 in Minstead Trust charity raffle

Minstead Trust, recently awarded a cheque for £1000 to a lucky raffle ticket winner.

Chris Kelly from Totton was shocked to learn of his winning ticket, and expressed a keen interest in the charity’s work supporting people with learning disabilities, which he and his wife learned of this year while at Totton carnival.

The Trust invited Chris to look around its headquarters in the heart of the New Forest, and to meet some of the people supported by the charity.

Chris said: ‘We never thought in a million years we’d win the prize. This wasn’t about winning the money, it was about supporting the charity and the great work they do. We were happy to buy the ticket and winning the prize was a bonus!’

The Special Years Appeal centenary raffle was established in celebration of Furzey Gardens’ centenary year. The gardens are run by Minstead Trust and provide training and wellbeing facilities for people with learning disabilities. The raffle raised a grand total of £2,384, which will be used to support people with learning disabilities in Furzey Gardens and beyond.

The Trust are incredibly grateful to everyone who showed support for the raffle this year. Lesley Brooks, Fundraising Co-ordinator for Minstead Trust commented: ‘We are delighted with how many people got involved and bought tickets for the Furzey Gardens centenary raffle. Funds raised will make a real difference to the people we support’.