Kath wins the car


It is said that things happen in threes, and that proved to be the case for a department store worker from Middlesbrough, who scooped a keg of beer, £50 and a brand new car, all in the space of a few days. Kath Mewse, 69, of Eston, Middlesbrough, said prior to the treble she had entered many competitions but not won a bean. The highlight came on December 1, when the phone rang and on the other end was the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), telling her she had won the top prize in the charity’s annual raffle. “My knees went to jelly,” the mother-of-three said.

It is said that things happen in threes, and that proved to be the case for a department store worker from Middlesbrough, who scooped a keg of beer, £50 and a brand new car, all in the space of a few days.

Kath Mewse, 69, of Eston, Middlesbrough, said prior to the treble she had entered many competitions but not won a bean.

The highlight came on December 1, when the phone rang and on the other end was the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), telling her she had won the top prize in the charity’s annual raffle.

“My knees went to jelly,” the mother-of-three said. “I just couldn’t believe it. To tell you the truth, I still can’t.

“I phoned the kids. My daughter, who has just bought a car, said ‘I wish I’d have known’. Everyone’s delighted for us, it’s been brilliant.”

Yesterday (THURS), Mrs Mewse was handed the keys to the brand new Kio Rio, donated by Jennings Motor Group, which operates Ford, Kia, Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi dealerships across the North-East and Teesside, in addition to Harley-Davidson® dealerships in Gateshead and West Yorkshire.

She said: “I entered because I like to support local causes, not because I expected to win.”

Mrs Mewse, who has been a member of the charity’s lottery for several years, works at Debenhams in Middlesbrough. Her husband Malcolm works at another car dealership just around the corner from Jennings on Preston Farm, Stockton.

The couple are keen on caravanning and look forward to taking the car out for a ride in the North York Moors.

It turned out that Mrs Mewse was not the only one celebrating, as GNAAS announced the car raffle had raised more than £120,000 for the charity.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising, said: “Mrs Mewse is a long-term supporter of the charity, so we are especially pleased that her support has been rewarded in this way.

“She 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 save lives in the region. Huge thanks to all at Jennings as well for their support. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

The car raffle was just one of the activities undertaken by Jennings Motor Group in a year of supporting GNAAS.

Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been able to support the charity and their annual raffle by donating a brand new Rio from the popular Kia range. 

“The promotion has been a phenomenal success and raised an incredible amount for an extremely worthy cause.

“On behalf of Jennings Motor Group, I would like to wish Mr and Mrs Mewse many years of happy motoring in their new Kia car.” 

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