RNLI raffle raises £17,500

Thursday 22 December 2022

A raffle organised by A1 Crab Supplies to raise a few pounds for the RNLI has far exceeded the organisers expectations and was a huge success.

The charity draw took on a life of its own with plans already in place to repeat the raffle next year so they can get started sooner.

Claire and Bernie Le Gallais who run A1 Crab Supplies were helped in their ticket selling by Little Ted who was described as a "very big part of the fundraising".

Claire told Express that initially they just wanted to organise a "little draw to raise a small amount of money for the Guernsey lifeboat".

From that idea for a small fundraiser grew a mammoth raffle.

Claire said they had a lot of support from other people in their industry and others as well as individuals.

"We approached a few friends in the hotel, wholesalers industries asking if they would like to support it," she said. "We then posted on our page if the general public would be interested in buying tickets for it.

"We got such a great response from them we decided to go ahead. I guess the word spread very quickly and we were inundated with messages from people and businesses donating prizes.

"We were a bit overwhelmed with the generosity of the Guernsey people but it did also become much bigger than we anticipated it being."

From hoping to raise just a "small amount of money" for the RNLI, the business this week handed over a cheque for £17,500.

Claire said they were thrilled with how well it went.

"It has been a steep learning curve for us, from getting a license to be able to hold the raffle, to printing tickets, and making sure we meet all the requirements required.

"None of which we would have been able to do in the time frame without the amazing help of the RNLI volunteers and businesses that have supported us from donations to selling tickets."

Every single prize was donated she explained, meaning that all of the money spent on raffle tickets went directly to the charity.

"We chose the RNLI Guernsey as our charity because it is very close to our heart with the industry we are in and living on a island you never know when you might need a rescue from the lifeboat," Claire explained.

"Our fisherman rely on them and it is largely run by volunteers who risk their lives helping others in sometimes absolutely atrocious conditions.

"We also have friends who are lifeboat men and just believe it is a very worthy cause."

After being blown away by the success of their first lifeboat raffle, Claire said they will be doing it again next Christmas, having learnt some lessons from the way this year's has gone.

"A lot of people have asked us if we will be doing it again next year and some have even said they will donate again next year. At this point we do plan on holding it again next year, with a bit more time to plan it."

Our volunteers are on call 24/7 this Christmas, ready to drop everything to go to those in need.

Click to find out how you can help https://t.co/nWMsgIzBsG pic.twitter.com/nHSYqLURhp

— RNLI (@RNLI) December 21, 2022

In response to the success of the raffle, the St Peter Port Lifeboat crew said "a very big thank you to Bernie Le Gallais and all at A1 Crab Supplies".

They also said "thank you to all the companies and individuals who donated prizes and supported A1 Crab Supplies with the selling of tickets without your kindness and support this raffle would not have been so popular".

The RNLI also reserved some special thanks for Ted who they said "deserves a special mention".

"He has been so involved and worked so hard with this fundraising event, many thanks for all your efforts, kindness, and the time that you have given up to attend different events to help sell tickets."

Pictured top: Bernie and Little Ted with the cheque payable to the RNLI.