Fundraiser sets sights on a 500 prize raffle to raise money for Grimsby hospital

One determined fundraiser has set a target of finding 500 raffle prizes to help raise money for poorly children in Grimsby hospital.

 Ricky Dean, of Grimsby, has organised a huge raffle and family fun day event to help raise funds for the official charity for Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, The Health Tree Foundation.

Following the birth of his son, who was born at just 31 weeks, Ricky has decided to raise money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Rainforest ward at Grimsby hospital.

Ricky said: “My son was born at 31 weeks and he is now nearly five-years-old. We were really lucky that he was healthy despite being born prematurely but we understand that not every premature baby is lucky enough to be born healthy and may need regular hospital care.”

Although this is Ricky’s first time fundraising, he has set himself a target of collecting 500 raffle prizes. He said: “I always thought it would be an easy thing to do, asking people of the town to help me collect 500 prizes. I misunderstood how often people and businesses are asked to donate prizes or money to worthy causes so it has been a lot harder than first anticipated.

“But with some hard work and very kind and generous people, we have now got more than 300 items and the list keeps on growing.”

Just some of those prizes include: beauty vouchers, four tickets to a Cleethorpes Town game with a pre-match meal, handbags, house cleans, a drill and much more.

The family fun day will be held at The Linden Club and alongside the extensive raffle; Ricky has arranged a BBQ, bouncy castles, a visit from the Grimsby Mascots, stalls, glitter tattoos and many other attractions.

He said: “This is my first time fundraising and although it’s tough, I am already thinking about ideas for next year. I sometimes feel as though I’ve bitten off more than I can chew but then I’ve received kind words of encouragement and it makes it all worthwhile.

“I feel like I have an army of people helping me. The donations people have made are amazing and it’s incredible to see how many raffle tickets have already sold. Nothing has been too much for those who are supporting me.

“It feels amazing to be fundraising for The Health Tree Foundation. This town may get bad press but with the money and prizes that have been donated and the help from the community, it just goes to show our little town isn’t all that bad.

“All I want to do is support the people who supported my family and I will do anything I can for this to work.”

Ricky’s family fun day will take place at The Linden Club on 23 June from 12pm. Raffle tickets are still on sale and can be bought from House of Harriet on Sea View Street for £2 a strip or by contacting Ricky on: 07703755789.