What’s happening?
A Wakerley woman received a life-changing surprise just in time for Christmas after her Play For Purpose ticket, gifted by her husband, won a $250,000 First Prize Pack in Raffle 25, drawn on Friday, 13 December 2024.
The prize includes two luxury vehicles and cashable gold bullion.
The woman was going about her day as usual when she received the surprise call from a Play For Purpose official.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she exclaimed, “Oh my god! Oh my god! Is this real? Is this about the car? Hang on! Two cars?! Oh my god. I feel like somebody’s playing a joke on me.”
Why it matters?
This story highlights the power of charitable giving through the Play For Purpose raffle, which supports Australian charities while offering significant prizes.
The win came after a difficult year for the couple, offering hope and joy during the festive season.
“This has been such a horrible year. I’d say it’s been the worst year of our lives,” the winner said. “I can’t believe this has happened. I’m crying now. What a wonderful way to turn the year around.”
Local Impact
The Queenslander’s win brought much-needed joy to her family, particularly her husband, who was the one to gift her the ticket.
“My husband’s not going to believe this. He was actually the one that bought me the ticket. I was only joking to him this morning saying, ‘Imagine if I won!’” she shared. “He’s a car enthusiast so he’s going to be so excited.”
The winner also reflected on the significance of their ongoing support for National Seniors Australia: “We’ve played the raffle for some time now. My husband always loves supporting things like that and giving back. He always supports National Seniors Australia.”
“Thank you so much. This is so exciting, and it’s great news, just in time for Christmas, too,” she added.
By the numbers:
- $250,000 prize pack: Includes a BMW X4 xDrive 30i ($125,200), a Mini Cooper SE (Electric) ($64,113), and $60,687 in gold bullion.
- 394 additional prizes: Worth $50,000 awarded to winners across Australia.
- $10.3 million: Raised for Australian charities since 2018 through Play For Purpose raffles.
Zoom In
The Wakerley winner’s story underscores the personal impact of charitable raffles.
Her emotional response to the news reflected the unexpected joy of the moment and the broader impact of Play For Purpose’s charitable mission. “This has been such a horrible year… I can’t believe this has happened… What a wonderful way to turn the year around,” she said, emphasising the life-changing nature of the win.
Zoom Out
Play For Purpose is a not-for-profit raffle conducted by the 50-50 Foundation, supported by The Lott.
Since its inception, it has raised over $10.3 million for hundreds of Australian charities and announced more than 52,000 winners.
For every $10 ticket, $5 goes directly to a supporter’s chosen charity, with the rest funding the prize pool.
Other major winners in Raffle 25 hailed from Aveley, Yandina Creek, Newtown, and Carbrook, supporting causes such as Love Your Sister, Heart Research Australia, Be Centre, and Animal Welfare League Queensland.
What to look for next?
The new Play For Purpose Raffle 26 is now open, featuring a First Prize Pack valued at $250,000, including a luxurious Range Rover Velar and over $86,000 in gold bullion.
Raffle 26 closes at 8pm AEST on Thursday, 20 March 2025, with winners announced on Friday, 21 March 2025.
Tickets can be purchased at HERE.
