HOSPICE staff have thanked everyone who signed up for an annual raffle draw which raked in more than £14,000.
Every year Hartlepool & District Hospice holds a popular Christmas raffle, which helps to raise much-needed cash for the charity before the relatively quiet fundraising new year period.
Dozens of residents bought tickets in the hope of winning the first prize of £2,000 cash and hospice staff have revealed their goodwill helped to raise £14,439.
John Martindale, fundraising manager at the Wells Avenue-based hospice, said: “From all of the staff at the hospice, we would like to say a big thanks to everyone who got involved with this year’s raffle.
“We have a raffle at Christmas and another one in spring and they both normally raise around £14,000, which is obviously a huge boost for us.
“At Christmas time especially, people in Hartlepool and East Durham tend to be extra generous before the new year which can sometimes be a quiet time of year.”
The winning ticket of the first prize in the Christmas raffle was number 45244.
Ticket number 49152 won the second prize of £500 while the third prize of £250 went to ticket number 41506.
All of the winners have been made aware of the good news and hospice staff have sent the cheques out.
John added: “I have already started the planning for the spring raffle and hopefully that will be as successful as this one.
“We mail the tickets out to people who want to take part and if anybody wants any books they should get in touch.”
To take part in the next hospice raffle contact John on (01429) 855533.