CHRISTMAS came early for a Carlisle couple when they won a new car courtesy of Jennings Motor Group and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
John Purdham, a railway network team leader, couldn’t believe his luck when he received the phone call from the charity to say he was the winner of a new Sportage, supplied by Jennings Kia Sunderland, and that he’d be receiving it in time for Christmas.
The devoted husband and father-of-four decided instantly that it would be an early Christmas gift for his teaching assistant wife Carrie-Ann.
John, 43, said: ‘I haven’t won anything before, not even £1 on a lottery scratchcard, so when I took the phone call from the Great North Air Ambulance Service, I honestly thought someone was playing a prank. Then I realised I had actually won a car – it was an absolutely fantastic feeling!
‘It was a lovely surprise, and it’s definitely made our Christmas, especially for my wife!’
Carrie-Ann, 37, took delivery of the Sportage at Jennings’ new dealership next to Sunderland Football Club’s Stadium of Light.
Sohail Khan, director of Jennings Motor Group, sales controller Stephen Robson and paramedic Lee Salmon, from the air ambulance service, presented her with the keys of the new Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi Level 2 model – worth more than £20,000. It’s the second year running that Jennings has supplied a new Kia for the air ambulance’s annual car raffle, which this year raised more than £92,000.
Khan said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support the air ambulance service and to donate a car for their raffle for a second consecutive year.
‘Once again, the promotion has been a huge success and raised an incredible amount for an extremely worthy cause. On behalf of Jennings Motor Group, I would like to wish the Purdham family many years of happy motoring in their new Kia Sportage.’
Mandy Drake, deputy director of public liaison at the Great North Air Ambulance Service, said: ‘We think it’s wonderful that Mr Purdham decided to give the car to his wife as an early Christmas present.
‘He was one of many thousands who entered the draw, and we would just like to thank all of them for playing, because ultimately the money raised will help us save lives in the region. A huge thank-you also goes to everyone at Jennings for their support, as this wouldn’t have been possible without them.’
Pictured from left are Carrie-Ann Purdham, Sohail Khan, John Purdham, Lee Salmon and Stephen Robson
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