Maureen Martin-Wise, who has worked in the endoscopy department at the University of Hartlepool Hospital for 28 years, decided to organise the raffle after someone close to her experienced mental health problems.
Maureen wanted to do something positive to support people in the local community – and her vintage Gucci bag proved to be a popular prize.
The raffle was won by Katie Tolley, who also works at the hospital. Katie was delighted to win the classic vintage bag — and such was its appeal that she had already received offers to buy it!
But the real winner was Let’s Connect, with the raffle raising more than £500 for the Hartlepool-based mental health charity.
Claire Yeoman from Let’s Connect was present to receive the funds from Maureen.
She said: “Just amazing! Every donation means a lot. We’re just a small charity. The money will help us to carry on delivering our groups and supporting people in the community of Hartlepool.”
For Maureen, the fundraising was particularly meaningful because of her personal connection to mental health issues.
After almost three decades of working in the hospital’s endoscopy department, she was keen to use the raffle as a way of giving something back and helping a local organisation that supports people when they need it most.
The cash raised will help Let’s Connect continue delivering its groups and providing support to people across the Hartlepool community.
Photographs by Michael Gant capture Maureen showing off the vintage Gucci bag before the raffle, Claire Yeoman receiving the funds, and the moment Maureen dug deep to pull out the winning ticket.
Katie is pictured celebrating her win alongside Maureen, with the pair later joined by Claire Yeoman from Let’s Connect.
What started with one much-loved vintage handbag has ultimately turned into a sizeable contribution towards supporting mental health in Hartlepool.
Author: Hartlepool Life
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