Grand Prize Draw

Mercy Ships has raised over £50,000 through its annual Grand Prize Draw, with the winner announced last week by Lord McColl of Dulwich, Chairman of Mercy Ships UK.

The first prize – a luxury trip for two at the award winning five star Fairmont St Andrews Hotel in Scotland was won by Mrs Foley from Northamptonshire. 

Speaking after announcing the winner, Lord McColl said, “It is wonderful that we have been able to raise this amount of money for Mercy Ships this year, especially as we are in the middle of a recession. 

“Our ship – the Africa Mercy – just finished its field service in Benin where the volunteer crew provided free medical and humanitarian services to more than 50,000 people.  That is only possible through the support we receive from our donors, so a big thank you to all of them.”

The Africa Mercy, finished its 10 month outreach to Benin last week, during which time more than 5,000 free surgeries were performed on board the ship, as well as over 33,000 eye treatments and 10,000 dental procedures in land- based clinics.

In addition, volunteers living on board also constructed a children’s medical centre, provided agricultural training to local farmers and trained local medical professionals in mental health care. 

The money raised from the sales of the raffle tickets will be used towards providing essential surgeries and healthcare that bring hope and healing to so many people suffering at the hands of poverty. 

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said: “We are thrilled to have sold so many raffle tickets.  I would like to thank Fairmont Hotel for generously donating the first prize and we are pleased that Mrs Foley will enjoy a lovely stay with them.   We are extremely grateful to all those who bought a raffle ticket to support Mercy Ships as every single penny really  does help those people less fortunate.     

“Mercy Ships relies on donations and fundraising events to raise awareness of what we do.  Without the kind donations and fundraising activities Mercy Ships would simple cease to exist.  We are continually overwhelmed by the generosity of so many who take part in events and participate in buying and selling our raffle tickets.  Their hard work and dedication is the spirit of Mercy Ships”.

For more information about our first prize, go to www.fairmont.com/standrews