A big prize draw planned for the autumn will help make Christmas a little better this year for hundreds of people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, in more ways than one.

Patrick Andre, one of the brains behind the Godalming Community Store, is planning to boost support for people in need with the draw, with the backing of local businesses.

Patrick told Nub News that the idea behind the scheme is to raise cash to help the Godalming Community Store and St Mark's Foodbank provide Christmas hampers for local people in need this year.

Although planning for the prize draw is in its early stages, Patrick and his team have already won huge support from companies in the town, which have donated items to be given away as prizes.

"People have been very supportive and very generous," he said.

Prizes donated so far include: vouchers from Acorn, Jojo Maman Bebe, Amy Lou's, Enzorosario and Animal Magic, plus leather bags from Nathans, artwork from the Wey Gallery and vouchers from a business and work coach. Patrick, who runs Halcyon Disco, has also offered a wedding disco as one of the prizes.

He is hoping to sell 10,000 tickets, at £2.50 each, for the draw, which will be held in the second week of December. He is also hoping to recruit volunteers to help sell the tickets around town.

Patrick has also had the idea of giving a book of tickets to people attending the community store or the foodbank in the runup to Christmas.

"If they win, a voucher may help them," he explained." I want them to be useful to people who are struggling: a voucher for a car service, for example, or for a shop, could be really useful to someone if they are facing financial difficulties."

Although the initiative, which is being organised in conjunction with Godalming Town Council, is still in its infancy, Patrick says he has been bowled over by the support shown by local businesses.

"It's gone really quite well so far," he told Nub News. "I am still getting in prizes, and have lots of ideas!"

Nub News will be keeping up with Patrick as the prize draw develops, and will bring our readers details of how to get involved in due course.