Pulling out the winners in Godalming's Grand Christmas Draw

Godalming Mayor Penny Rivers pulls the winning tickets in the Grand Christmas Draw organised to raise money to buy hampers for people who use the Godalming Community Store and St Mark's Foodbank,

The brainchild of Community store organiser Patrick Andre, the draw was an astonishing success, with all 5,000 tickets sold and a huge £10,000 raised.

The lengthy process of drawing the winning tickets for the more than 40 prizes on offer was carried out in the High Street this afternoon (Saturday) under an awning bearing the logo of the Rotary Club, which supported the project.

The top prize was £350 in John Lewis vouchers, and there were vouchers and items donated from businesses across the town, including Acorn, Godalming Tandoori, The Sun, The Star, The Richmond Arms, The Withies, The King's Arms, Ritual Coffee UK, Black Barn Butchers and Piazza Firenze.

Other prizes on offer were leather bags from Nathans, jewellery, and prints from local artists, a photo shoot on offer from photographer Jo Sawer, a trinket box from amelieroseandboo, a rainbow cushion from Lottie Lane Designs, and vouchers from Room With a View and Beauty by Jessica.

Cllr Rivers set the ball rolling in October, buying the first tickets, and neatly finished it off by buying the last two this morning, just moments before the final deadline for sales.

The proceeds from the draw will help support 87 households in need over Christmas, made up of 157 adults and 111 children.

The hampers will be made up of a good selection of foods, plus a voucher for a local greengrocer and for a local supermarket. The vouchers will enable recipients to buy fresh food to supplement the contents of the hamper.

Patrick told Nub News he had been amazed at the generosity of the local businesses that had supported the draw.

"I am super proud of the way in which everyone came together to support it," he said.

"Godalming Town Council have been amazing, and [town clerk] Andy Jeffery has been amazing.

"Thank you to everyone who donated, who bought tickets, and to the volunteers as well."