Gretton charity and punters win big with prize draw

Volunteer-led Travers Foundation helps young people aged between 13 and 30 years living in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire or Rutland improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts, and helps them to achieve their full potential in their chosen fields.

The raffle was drawn on New Year's Eve by Joe Byrne, manager of The Blue Bell Inn, Gretton.

Terry Forsey, Chairman of The Travers Foundation, said: "Everyone at The Travers Foundation is simply delighted with the success of this year's raffle - to raise £4000 is totally amazing, and every penny will go to help fund local young people in sports, the creative and performing arts.

"We would like to say a very big thank you to everybody who bought tickets and supported us.

"Special thanks must also go to the volunteers and businesses who sold the tickets and hosted the picture of Lewis Hamilton as it did its grand tour of the area - so thank you to Lydia's Coffee Shop and Store, The Blue Bell Inn and the Hatton Arms in Gretton; The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham; Paul's Restaurant and Wine Lounge in Bottesford; and The Brook Whipper Inn, Oakham."

Top prize of an exclusive, signed, framed photo of F1 star Lewis Hamilton, worth £950, was won by Reg Stead from Claypool, Lincolnshire.

The runner-up prize of seven nights' self-catering accommodation in a one-bedroom apartment at the Diamond Club Maritima Resort in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote - kindly donated by Resort Solutions of Market Harborough - went to Vicky Oakes of Bottesford, Leicestershire.

Helen Richards from Stoke-on-Trent bagged herself a Silverstone Experience; and Anita Kenyon of Kettering won an Image Exclusive Photography package.

For further information on the work of the Travers Foundation please visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk