Snows Toyota’s latest charity car raffle landed Janette Greenslade a new AYGO and raised just under £5000 for a local cancer charity.
Throughout December, visitors to Princesshay Shopping Centre in Exeter were invited to enter a draw for the chance to win a Toyota AYGO X-Play, worth £10,510.
Proceeds from the £2 tickets have gone to FORCE Cancer Charity, which funds research and equipment to improve local patient care.
Janette, 53, from Exeter, told how one man’s loss was her gain when buying the winning ticket.
She explained: “I took a last-minute extra day’s holiday because I was behind with my Christmas shopping and as I was walking into Debenhams there was a woman standing there selling raffle tickets for FORCE.
“She offered the man walking in front of me a ticket and he said ‘No’ a little dismissively. So I stopped and said: ‘Go on, I’ll have one.’
“I had £4 so I bought two and the woman pointed at the car and said that was what I could win.
“I laughed and said I could do with a new car. I then put the tickets in my bag and walked away, not giving it another thought really – until December 22 when I got the shock of my life!”
Janette, an IT training manager, added: “The man on the phone said he was pleased to tell me my ticket had been drawn and I had won.
“I said: ‘Won what?’ I had honestly forgotten I had entered.
“He said it was the car and there were people in the background shouting ‘Well done!’ and ‘Merry Christmas!’. I was completely stunned.”
It was an even bigger shock for her husband Martin, who hadn’t even been aware Janette had entered the raffle.
“I have a 2007 Renault Scenic and Martin drives an old van which is on its last legs, so it is absolutely lovely to have a gorgeous new AYGO to drive around.”
Janette, who is also the Chair of the Friends of Poltimore House, which works to maintain and restore the stately home near Exeter, added: “I’m very pleased to hear the draw raised so much for FORCE Cancer Charity, which is a great cause.”
The car keys were handed to the winner at Snows Toyota’s Exeter showroom at Matford Way, Matford, Exeter.
Leanne Hobley, the Marketing Manager for Snows Motor Group, said: “We are very grateful to Jeanette and all the other people who entered the charity draw.
“FORCE is a charity that Snows Toyota is extremely passionate about and it is a privilege to be able to partner with such a beneficial company that provides counselling, activities, meet ups research and much more.
“It’s also great to hear that Janette is looking forward to driving around in her new AYGO.”
Oliver Watts of FORCE Cancer Charity said: “We were so excited when calling Janette to give her the wonderful news that she’d won. Huge thanks must go to Snows Toyota in Exeter for donating this amazing car in aid to raise funds for FORCE.”
Oliver went on to say: “The money raised will go some way to support people affected by cancer. Sincere thanks must go to all the team who took time out to sell the draw tickets and help raise this magnificent total – we can’t thank them enough.”
Last year Snows teamed up with Princesshay Shopping Centre to raffle a new Toyota C-HR for Children’s Hospice South West.
Media information on this release is available from Debbie Granville at Deep South Media on 07884 657782 email: Debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Snows Motor Group
Snows Group’s principal activities are the sale and leasing of new and used vehicles for business and individuals, with service, maintenance and repair. The Group’s businesses, employing more than 950 people, total 50 dealerships covering 19 brands, operating from 29 locations across southern England.
For more details visit: www.snowsgroup.co.uk
FORCE Cancer Charity believes that anyone affected by cancer deserves the best possible treatment and professional support close to home and face-to-face. Founded in 1987, the charity funds local research and supports innovation to improve patient care at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. For more details visit: www.forcecancercharity.co.uk
