Over 70 great prizes to be won as Raffle launched to improve Botanic Gardens in Churchtown

Andrew Brown
7 Min Read
Floral displays at Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

People are being invited to buy tickets for a raffle with great prizes to be won – and all money raised going towards improving the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport. 

There are over 70 superb prizes on offer, with a prize value of up to £250. 

Tickets are £5 each and are available by messaging organiser Jess Thwaites on Facebook here

Prizes include £50 Marks & Spencer vouchers, panto tickets for The Atkinson, a two night stay with breakfast and drink in bar at Anelli Hotel and Amici Bar, a Christmas Hamper from Red Squirrel Creations, a £60 voucher for Mamma Mia’s restaurant, a £50 platter dine-in experience at Sushi Fusion, and much more besides – see the full list below! 

The draw will take place on 9th December. 

The raffle has been organised by the Make A Change For Ben campaign.

The campaign was launched by David Rawsthorne after his best friend Ben Smith-Crallan died after falling into the lake at Botanic Gardens. 

David, members of Ben’s family and their supports have since been campaigning to raise money to clean up the lake and install safety features. 

Ben Smith-Crallan (centre) was his dad Peter Smith-Crallan (left) and his sister Nina Thomas (right)
Ben Smith-Crallan (centre) was his dad Peter Smith-Crallan (left) and his sister Nina Thomas (right)

So far they have raised over £25,000, through a Sportsman’s Dinner with John Barnes, through an online fundraising appeal and through other methods. 

Raffle organiser Jess Thwaites said: “We’ve already raised £25,000 for the Make A Change For Ben campaign and we need to get to £30,000.

“To have achieved that in a year would be an unimaginable accomplishment by Ben’s family and friends through the campaign. 

“The main motivation for doing this raffle, aside from the need to raise the money to have the improvements required to Botanic Gardens, we really wanted to ensure that our campaign is a community one.

“It is designed to reach and appeal to the majority of the community with a wide variety of prizes with a value from £9-£250. 

“We have over 70 prizes on offer and we think that asking for £5 per entry means that it is inclusive for everyone.

“The park is used by all walks of life and a variety of ages. It’s the community’s park, it’s the community’s raffle and it’s the generosity of the businesses in this community that have donated prizes to make it happen. We couldn’t be more grateful.

“We had lots of feedback from the Sportsman’s Dinner that people wanted to support us but weren’t available or didn’t have the financial capacity to come so hopefully this is their chance to get behind the campaign, whilst also having the opportunity to win an amazing prize.

“The calibre of the prizes is outstanding so we hope the community joins in and has a bit of fun.

“Terms and conditions are pinned to the announcement section on the MaCFB campaign Facebook page which need to be read before purchasing a ticket.”

List of Make A Change For Ben Raffle Prizes: 

Red Squirrel Creations – Christmas Eve Box

TBSAH with Sarah Jayne – Hamper

Pebbles & Treasures – Voucher

White Noise Studio – 4 hour recording session

Farmhouse Kitchen – Taster night for 2

Marks and Spencer’s – £50 voucher

Marks and Spencer’s – £50 voucher

Seamingly Brilliant – £15 voucher

Jacksons Traditional Fish & Chips – £40 voucher

Jabbiellas – £30 voucher

Gladys Armstrong Family Tree Family tree for a couple

Costa Del Southport – Spanish Cleaning Hamper

Simply Holistics – £20 voucher

Glitz and gifts – Voucher

Sushi Fusion – £50 platter dine in experience

Bistro Bar Med – £35 voucher

The Guelder Rose – Meal for 4 voucher

Beauty HQ Wesley Street – £30 voucher for make up session

PMV Valeting – Gift voucher

Vintage Tea Rooms – Afternoon Tea for 2 with prosecco

Springwoods Health & Beauty – £20 voucher

A Little Bit Vintage – £30 stationary voucher

Beauty Squad – Voucher

Majas Cakes – Voucher

Jades Cakes – £30 voucher

G Fox Hair Extensions – £100 hair extension 

Old Duke – Meal for Four Voucher

Huda Bakery – Brownie/Blonde box of 8

Hokey Cokey Parties – £30 Voucher

JP’s Cake Kitchen – £50 voucher

Scissors Churchtown – Gift bag

Barberlee – Voucher

Captain Candy – Mystery box

Chocolate Whirled – Chocolate Pizza

Beautiful You with Elizabeth – Voucher

The Woollen Pig £20 Voucher

The Yanwath Gate – Meal for 2

Deluxe Hot Tub Rentals – 2 days hire, gazebo, lights, drinks 

The Dung Factory – £10 Voucher

I am your baker – £50 voucher

Beauty By Kayley – £40 voucher lashes

Churchtown Deli – £30 Voucher

Just wings – £25 voucher

Dunelm Mill – £25 voucher

Phoenix – Voucher

Anelli Hotel and Amici Br 2 night stay with breakfast and drink in bar 

Morrisons – Hamper

The Windmill- £20 voucher

Mamma mias – £60 Voucher

Allumi Southport – Buddha Burner & 10 wax melts

Babyballet  – 3 week trial

Atkinson – Panto 2 tickets

Gymophobics Ladies Gym – 3 month gym membership

Casa Italia – £50 Voucher

Teepee2u- £50 voucher

MIS cleaning – £50 Voucher

Purple Paws – 1 free dog groom

Fallen Angelz – £25 voucher

Toni Maria beauty – 1 make up with lashes

Dani V Aesthetics – £100 voucher

The Farmhouse Kitchen – £20 voucher

The Farmhouse Kitchen – £20 voucher

Tic Taco – 4 Ball and Meal for 4 at Tic Taco

Toni Maria Beauty – 1 semi permanent lashes

The Warehouse Gym – One month membership

La Tabella Churchtown – £50 voucher

Forever Melts – £50 voucher

Susha Aesthetics – Hydrating Facial

The draw will be held on 9th December 2021.

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com

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