A Tyneside couple who took up caravanning a year ago won a brand new Swift caravan at the Caravan Club’s Centenary Ball, which raised more than £10,000 for a leading UK cancer charity.
Guests at the prestigious event at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, on June 1 helped to raise £10,260 for Macmillan Cancer Support by putting donations in envelopes, which were then used in a draw to win a Swift Challenger worth £14,000.
Jenny Gilchrist and husband Russell from Washington, Tyneside, each put £10 into an envelope and Mrs Gilchrist’s envelope was drawn out as the lucky winner.
“To say I am delighted is an understatement,” she said. “I have never won anything like that before in my life. When they first called my name I didn’t think it was me.”
She said as well as its light, airy interior, the features that most appeal to her about the Challenger 540 is the walk-in shower, fixed rear bed and front lounge.
The couple bought their first caravan a two-year-old Swift Charisma, last February so that they could take their long-haired Dachshund, Lady, away on holiday with them rather than leaving her in kennels. Since then they have enjoyed touring in the UK and France and recently sold the Charisma to make way for their brand new Challenger.
They were presented with the new van at the Grange Caravan Club Site in Durham, which is the nearest Caravan Club site to their home, last week (July 19).
Other people who attended the presentation were Robyn Mountain Macmillan’s Fundraising Manager for Humberside, Jonathan Swales the Caravan Club’s Regional Manager for Northern England and Gary O’Brien from the Swift Group.
Amanda Bringans, Head of Fundraising at Macmillan, said: "I was delighted to attend the fabulous centenary ball, and so touched at the extraordinary generosity and kindness of its members.
“The money raised will help Macmillan provide more care and support for people affected by cancer, and I must extend a big thank you to everyone who contributed."
Swift Group Marketing Director Richard White said: “Over the years, Swift have raised a lot of money for Macmillan and this latest amount brings the total to over £50,000.
“The Caravan Club Centenary Ball provided the ideal opportunity for us to raise money and we are delighted with the amount raised. It is the largest single amount we have ever raised at one event and, most importantly, will all go towards helping people with cancer in the Hull area.”
All the money raised at the ball will help cancer patients in the Hull area at the request of Swift. It is likely to be distributed via the charity’s ‘Macmillan Grants’ initiative, which aims to ease the financial worries of people and children affected by cancer.
The 1,000 Caravan Club members who attended the ball to celebrate 100 years of The Caravan Club were entertained by Welsh singing star Katherine Jenkins.