Stars of the De Montfort Hall panto’ helped reveal that a huge £105,000 has been raised by LOROS Winter Raffle players this year, before drawing the winning ticket.
X Factor winner and singing sensation Sam Bailey, children’s TV presenter Richard McCourt, best known for being ‘Dick’ in the famous duo ‘Dick and Dom’ and BBC Radio Leicester presenter Martin Ballard, kindly took time out of rehearsals to help with the draw yesterday.
As well as revealing who had won the top prize of £10,000, the amount raised from this year’s raffle was also announced, which was a total of £105, 081.
Speaking about being part of the draw, Martin, who plays the Dame in this year’s production said: “For me, LOROS is at the heart of Leicestershire, it’s a real community charity.
“Raffles like this show a real team effort, where everyone gets involved, from those promoting the raffle, to those selling the tickets and of course, the supporters who buy the tickets.”
Martin, Sam and Richard are part of this year’s star-studded cast involved in the production of Beauty and the Beast, which kicks off on Saturday.
Sam said: “It’s great to be part of the raffle draw and to see so much money has been raised for LOROS.
“I think everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – and even further afield – knows or has known somebody who is living with a terminal illness, so no wonder this has sold so many tickets, as it’s so close to everyone’s hearts.”
Richard added: “This is my first experience of Leicester and the first time I’ve heard of LOROS and I think it’s just amazing.
“Although winning the money is a bonus, really what it’s all about is where the money will be going and the good it will do.”
The stars were joined by Emily Glanville and her four-year-old daughter, Alexa, who shared their experience of LOROS to help raise the awareness of this year’s raffle.
Emily, 27, of Broughton Astley, whose grandma and Alexa’s great-grandma, or ‘GG’, was in LOROS last Christmas said: “Being part of the draw and this year’s raffle has just been incredible.
“It’s very humbling to know that by sharing my story I’ve helped raise more than £100,000 for LOROS.
“It’s almost been a year now since GG was at LOROS and I feel like we’ve done a full circle in that time, it’s great to feel like we’ve ended on such a high.
“I know GG would be very proud of both me and Alexa.”
As well as the top prize of £10,000, the runner-up scooped up £500, with third prize being £250, plus five lucky players won £50.
To find out if you were this year’s winner, or for all of the winning ticket numbers visit loros.co.uk/raffle
