AN Edmonton couple bought just one raffle ticket each in the BDO Arrow Experience camper trailer raffle, and today will drive away with their new toy.
Debbie and Andre Huiskes bought one ticket in each name, but her ticket was the one drawn on Monday afternoon.
Hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, the BDO Arrow Experience raised money for skin and breast cancer diagnostic equipment and the camper trailer raffle was part of the fundraising activities.
Winner Deb Huiskes said she didn’t believe she had won the prize and actually deleted notification that she had won.
“But my husband followed it up and I’m really glad he did. I’m not sure where we’ll go on our first adventure, but it’s really exciting to win something like this,” Ms Huiskes said.
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan said it was incredibly rewarding to see the fundraising and then see lucky people drive away with a new camper trailer.
“The BDO Arrow Experience raised close to $90,000 which was really remarkable in these COVID-recovery times and It’s going to mean great outcomes for cancer patients in FNQ,” Mrs Hogan said.
“Congratulations to Deb and Andre on winning this $30,000 Jayco Eagle camper trailer, which we know lots of people wanted. We sold more than 19,000 tickets in the art union, so it was incredibly well supported,” she said.
Mrs Hogan paid tribute to sponsors BDO North Queensland, FGF and Jayco Cairns.
BDO North Queensland CEO Stacey Young offered her congratulations to the couple.
“We were humbled to be part of such an incredible community event and have enjoyed working closely with both the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation and its volunteers,” Mrs Young said.
“Our team has enjoyed coming together for both fundraising efforts and the walk and are already talking about next year’s event. As a locally owned firm, it is an honour to know that our fundraising efforts will go directly towards enhancing access to critical diagnostic equipment for our local community,” she said.
Photo: Foundation CEO Gina Hogan, Debbie Huiskes, Jayco Cairns owner Trevor Turnbull, Andre Huiskes, grandaughter Skylah and BDO Nth Qld CEO Stacey Young.