Preston-based Kingswood Homes gifted a property worth £250,000 to Chorley’s Derian House Children’s Hospice for the Great Big House Giveaway.
A total of 22,374 people entered, raising a phenomenal £357,489 for the hospice. The winner was revealed at a glittering gala ball, held at Houghton Tower on September 17. On the night fundraising boosting the total raised to more than £400,000 – enough to run the hospice for nearly two months.
Winner Charles Maughan, a support worker from Preston, who works with adults with learning disabilities for a local authority, described the big win as “life changing”.
The house, at Kingswood’s Green Hills development in Feniscowles, Lancashire, will be home to Charles’ stepson Lewis and his partner Autumn. The couple are expecting a baby in November and are currently living in rented accommodation nearby.
Charles bought £75 worth of tickets after being sent the website link to enter the prize draw by partner Kerri, who had also bought tickets in the hope of winning the house for her son.
“When I saw my name on the big screen in front of me I just couldn’t believe it,” said Charles. “I didn’t enter it as a competition, I entered it because the money was going to such a good cause. It’s not just a money-making thing, it really means something. This is massive for us.”
Upon seeing his name on the screen, Charles stared in disbelief, then put his head in his hands while his family cheered in celebration around him.
The draw was carried out the day before the ball, overseen by an independent witness. This was to allow for necessary background checks before the winner was announced. Charles and his family were invited to the ball – luckily, they were able to attend – which allowed the charity to announce the winner at the event.
Paul Jones, Managing Director of Kingswood Homes, said: “The response to the Great Big House Giveaway has been fantastic from the people who bought tickets to those who helped build the property. While we donated the house itself, it couldn’t have been possible without the help of a range of businesses who’ve given their time or donated materials for the project. They say it takes a village to raise a child – it also takes a community of construction and property industry professionals to build and give away a house.
“The competition is life-changing not only for the winner and their family, but also the families supported by Derian House. The total raised is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved and will make a massive difference to the charity.”
Caroline Taylor, Head of Income, Marketing and Communications at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are absolutely over-the-moon for Charles and his family who are very worthy winners. The fact that they plan to keep the house and live in it is the icing on the cake. We’ve watched this house being built from the ground up, and we really hoped it would go to someone whose lives would be changed.
“The generosity shown by Kingswood Homes has been phenomenal and we are so very grateful. This has been the biggest fundraising campaign we have ever seen at Derian House and the huge amount of money raised will make a real difference to seriously ill children and young people from across the North West.”
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