CHARITY PROJECT INVITES EDINBURGH LOCALS TO IMPROVE THEIR WELLBEING WITH FEEL GOOD PRIZES WHILE TACKLING LOCAL LONELINESS
Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes has launched its new Wellbeing Prize Draw, encouraging Edinburgh locals to donate and enter the draw to win fabulous prizes that support their wellbeing while helping the charity project to tackle the loneliness crisis among older people in the city.
The multi award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people.
Prize draw tickets are now available online at Vintagevibes.org.uk, with local businesses going the extra mile to support the cause by donating a wide range of fabulous prizes to encourage wellbeing and fun.
From tickets to shows at The Edinburgh Playhouse and The Cameo Picturehouse, to feel good treatments for your hair, body, mind and soul, a family photography session, and experiences such as a family day out at Edinburgh Zoo, or a meal at The Port of Leith Distillery Bar!
Gemma Wright, Fundraising and Communications lead at Vintage Vibes, said:“All proceeds from the prize draw go to supporting lonely and isolated older people in Edinburgh, which is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people.
“By supporting our new Wellbeing Prize Draw you could not only win a fabulous prize to improve your own happiness and wellbeing but know that you are in turn helping to improve the life of a lonely local older person too.”
Now in its 9th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 1000 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from singing and musical theatre to gaming, and even, like VIP Shelia and volunteer, Nicky, Love Island! Events, and groups are also available from theatre to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.
Vintage Vibes VIP, Sheila said:“I was pretty depressed before I joined Vintage Vibes. I didn’t really know what to do with myself and had lost myself a bit. Then I met my volunteer, Nicky and it’s really lifted my spirits.
“We just talk and talk, and I love going out for a coffee or a trip out with her. When you get that low, you don’t know how to fix it but having a good friend in your life makes all the difference. Joining Vintage Vibes has been amazing for me”.
Vintage Vibes’ 2024 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life. Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.
“It has been a privilege to work in partnership with, and fundraise for, Vintage Vibes since October 2023. We are proud to support their Wellbeing Prize Draw and the work they are continuously doing to help tackle loneliness in the over-60s right here in Edinburgh.” – Gordon Millar, Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre Director.
For a full details, list of prizes and to get your ticket for the Vintage Vibes Wellbeing Prize Draw, visit vintagevibes.org.uk.
Lucky dad originally from Scotland wins £3 million holiday villa in Mallorca
His new home is a 4-bedroom Balearic island retreat offering stunning mountain views and a swimming pool
Scot who moved to England 30 years ago also scooped £250,000 in cash
Winning entry cost £75
Winner entered the draw after a chance encounter collecting an armchair
Campaign raised £3,100,000 for Omaze’s charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK
A lucky dad has won the keys to a spectacular Spanish villa worth over £3 million – as well as £250,000 in cash – all thanks to a second-hand armchair.
Graham Dunlop (52) has won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw – and is now the proud owner of a magnificent four-bedroom villa in Mallorca complete with swimming pool and stunning mountain views.
Graham entered the draw to support Alzheimer’s Research UK, after a chance encounter with a woman he was buying an old armchair from. When Graham arrived to collect the chair, the woman insisted that she wanted to give it to him for free, asking only that Graham make a small donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK in place of payment – as her late husband had dementia.
Graham duly donated directly to the charity, but he decided to enter the Omaze prize draw as well after spotting it was supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK. The Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw, raised an incredible £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The property comes mortgage-free and with all legal fees covered. Graham has also been given a whopping £250,000 in cash – and can decide to either enjoy the holiday home with his family or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.
Graham, who bought his £3,000,000-winning entry for £75, has been married to his wife Amanda for 15 years and they have two children, an 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.
Graham, originally from Edinburgh having moved to England 30 years ago, has been working in IT for the past 25 years and Amanda is a part-time primary school teacher. The couple have lived in their current 4-bedroom house near Southampton since 2014.
They have two dogs Maisy (12-year-old Labradoodle) and Hudson (3-year-old Colliepoo). Graham said they will have to rename Maisy “Omaisy” after scooping the Omaze Grand Prize.
When Omaze first contacted Graham to tell him he’d won a prize, he had forgotten he’d entered and revealed he didn’t expect to win such a big prize as he “never wins anything”.
He celebrated his huge win “the best way a British man can” by “popping the kettle on having a cup of tea”.
A spellbound Graham said: “The reason I entered the draw is quite random really, I’d been after an armchair for my home office for a while and one popped up on Gumtree. I went to pick it up but when we arrived the woman refused to take any money for it.
“Instead, she asked that we put something towards an Alzheimer’s charity, as her late husband had dementia. So I made a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK, then saw that they’d also partnered with Omaze, so I bought an entry to the Superdraw on top – I didn’t give it a second thought and had totally forgotten I’d even entered.
“My wife didn’t like the look of my lucky chair at first, but of course she absolutely loves it now! You could say my £3 million prize cost me an armchair and a leg! I’ll bring the chair out here for sure, although it might look a bit odd next to the pool.”
He continued: “This villa is simply stunning, I love the design of the place and the views are spectacular, I just can’t believe it’s all ours – even if I jumped in the pool I don’t think it would sink in!
“We love Spain but never dreamed we’d ever own a place here – especially one like this! I might have to work on my Spanish a bit – although I can order a cerveza with no problems!
“I’ve got a large extended family that we’ve not seen for a while – I’m really looking forward to getting us all together out here.”
He added: “I’ve never won anything before – but this is worth waiting 52 years for! I’m not sure what we’re going to do long term yet – we’ll definitely be enjoying a few family holidays here – whatever we decide, this win is fantastic for our family’s future.”
Graham’s new home is a tranquil oasis located within walking distance from the town Selva and village Caimari in the popular travel destination of Mallorca and is just a short flight away from a host of UK airports.
The bespoke design of the beautiful holiday retreat celebrates traditional Spanish features such as stone walls and terracotta rooftops – whilst also encompassing a contemporary feel indoors – with bright and spacious open plan living areas.
There is a large swimming pool with chill-out areas and loungers for when Graham feels like taking a siesta or sunbathing after a swim. The entire property offers wonderful spectacular views of the Spanish countryside and Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Inside, there is a state-of-the-art kitchen complete with island dining, a light filled conservatory with floor to ceiling glass doors offering views of the manicured gardens, and a luxurious living room with ornate fireplace – which also provides direct access to the landscaped courtyard and barbecue area with its own stone oven.
The top floor of the property has a stylish main bedroom suite complete with ensuite bathroom and dressing room – plus two additional guest bedrooms. The lower floor also provides another ensuite bedroom with a roll top bath.
To the East of the property there is a sizeable terrace with thatched roof pergola overlooking the mountains. It’s furnished with a sumptuous sofa with coffee table and is the ideal space for Graham and his family to enjoy the sunrise or a sundowner at the end of a long day’s relaxing.
The property also has extensive gardens featuring Fruit Trees and other flora found in the region. The gardens have been beautifully landscaped to create a variety of terraces and private areas perfect for Graham to relax with friends and dine alfresco anytime of the day.
As well as making Graham a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw, Mallorca, also raised £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK – the UK’s leading dementia research charity – in just six weeks.
Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, claiming more than 74,000 lives in 2022. Sadly, if nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by the condition – either by caring for someone with it, developing it themselves, or both.
Although the first generation of Alzheimer’s treatments proven to slow the disease are on the horizon, there are none yet available in the UK.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is working to change this, and to develop more and better therapies that will be necessary to really shift the dial against the disease. Compared to other serious conditions, however, relatively few clinical trials are taking place in the UK. This means people with dementia in the UK are at risk of missing out on the chance to take part in life-changing research.
The £3,100,000 raised by the latest partnership with Omaze will support the charity’s Clinical Accelerator Programme, boosting clinical research for dementia across the UK and speeding up progress towards a cure.
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We’re delighted that Omaze, and all those who entered the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw in Mallorca, have raised a phenomenal £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“Nearly a million people in the UK have dementia, and we urgently need to find more and better treatments so that we can take away the fear, harm and heartbreak that this devastating condition causes.
“The vital funds raised will support our Clinical Accelerator Programme, which will boost clinical research taking place in the NHS and ultimately speed up progress towards a cure. This is an exciting step forward in our efforts to transform the lives of people affected by dementia.
“Thank you Omaze, and everyone who entered, for standing with us for a cure.”
This is the second time the charity has teamed up with Omaze. The first partnership, in 2022, raised £1 million that helped Alzheimer’s Research UK to protect and continue progress in dementia research during the pandemic. This latest donation brings the total raised for the charity by Omaze to £4.1 million.
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Graham and his family have won this magical villa in Mallorca, whilst also contributing to the incredible £3,100,000 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this spectacular property in Spain, whilst also introducing charities to vast new audiences that would otherwise be out of reach – it’s a real win-win for both charities and entrants.
“We’re incredibly proud that the Omaze community has raised more than £31 million for good causes across the UK.”
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds are available now at omaze.co.uk. The draw closes on Sunday 25th February for online entries and Tuesday 27th February 2024 for postal entries.
Entrants can also choose to subscribe to Omaze to be automatically entered into every Grand Prize and Early Bird Prize, each month. Omaze subscribers receive double the amount of entries compared to non-subscribers and can cancel their subscription at any time.
When Omaze has two draws running simultaneously, subscribers are entered into both, with a £10 subscription providing 30 entries into both house draws – meaning 60 entries in total for just £10.
For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.
To celebrate the start of spring, a new competition has been launched giving you the chance to win a year’s worth of flowers plus £1,000.
Winners will receive the cash prize as well as a lavish bouquet delivered to their door every month for an entire year.
The Farmhouse Inns competition, in partnership with online florist Prestige Flowers, comes as the nation prepares for a “truly incredible show” of spring blossom, according to the National Trust.
Meanwhile, we’re now enjoying brighter mornings and evenings after the clocks went forward on Sunday (March 26th).
For the chance to win, simply head to the Farmhouse Inns website here and fill in the online form. The winner will be chosen at random and contacted by Friday 14th April.
The competition closes at 12:00 on Friday 31st March. To enter and for full terms and conditions, please visit go to the Farmhouse Inns website here.
The Edinburgh and Midlothian 2021 Carer Survey is now open!
This survey will ask you about your current or past caring role, and taking a break from caring, work, money, and your health and wellbeing. It will also cover the support and services you have accessed. You don’t need to be registered with VOCAL to take part.
As a thank you for your time, you can enter a prize draw. There are two prizes up for grabs:
a one-week free holiday to VOCAL’s new carer cottage in Blair Atholl, plus £150 to spend
a £50 eVoucher for a retailer of your choice
All responses are anonymous and you can provide as much information as you feel comfortable with. Your support will help develop the future of carer support in Edinburgh and Midlothian and we would really appreciate your time.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can save your progress and come back at a later time. VOCAL’s Carer Support Teams in Edinburgh (0131 622 6666) and Midlothian (0131 663 6869) can also support you in completing the survey, simply call them for advice.
Win a royal tea with Emma Corrin & Josh O’Connor from ‘The Crown’ alongside items and experiences donated by Vanessa Kirby, Taylor Swift & many more
War Child UK have launched a series of exclusive prize draws with a range of unique celebrity items & experiences up for grabs to support their Torn From Home appeal, aimed at helping children affected by war in Afghanistan.
For just a £5 donation to War Child, the public will be able to enter a prize draw to win one of the many incredible items and experiences including:
The chance for you and a friend to have high tea with Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor who play Prince Charles and Princess Diana in The Crown
Once in a lifetime chance for you and up to 3 friends to have lunch with Vanessa Kirby, as well as a private screening of her highly anticipated upcoming film, Pieces of a Woman
A signed t-shirt and vinyl copy of chart-topper Mabel’s incredible debut album ‘High Expectations’
A vinyl copy of War Child’s landmark record Help! Recently re-issued on special edition vinyl in celebration of the album’s 25th Anniversary – signed by the legendary, Paul Weller
A Tom Misch signed vinyl bundle featuring the ever popular ‘What Kinda Music’, ‘Geography’ and ‘Beat Tape 2’
A poster signed by critically acclaimed singer songwriter Celeste, from her very first headline show at Mirth, Marvel & Maud
A signed 12×12” test press by British rock band Enter Shikari of their album The Last Spark: Live At Ancienne Belgique, Brussels – one of only 20 copies made for the public
A signed ‘The Vaccines Make Me Feel Good’ T-shirt originally worn on stage by Justin Young
A signed double LP of Taylor Swift’s more recent album, Folklore.
Prize draws runs until 17th December2020 at warchildwintershop.com, where for every three entries you will get a fourth free.
In addition to the prize draws, the War Child Winter Shop is also offering a range of bespoke creations from their friends across the arts and creative industries, meaning that the public can also get their hands on the likes of a specially designed jumper by designer Bella Freud, an Anthony Burrill shopper bag, and limited prints by renowned artists Rose Stallard, Adam Bridgland, Joe Cruz, Fee Greening and Supermundane.
Every prize draw entry, charity gift and donation made via the War Child Winter Shop website, is eligible for UK Aid match funding, meaning that for every £1 raised before 18 February 2021, the UK government will double this and help raise vital funds for the charity’s work in reuniting Children in Afghanistan with their families.
In Afghanistan, thousands of children, some as young as eight, are forced to leave home in search of work after decades of war have destroyed their family’s livelihoods.
War Child is on hand at the border working to provide emotional and psychosocial support from children before safely getting them home. The funds from this appeal will help reunite families and provide solutions to those problems that drove families and their children to embark on this perilous journey in the first place.
Vanessa Kirby,War Child UK ambassador said “I am really excited about being able to offer this prize to support this truly worthy appeal for this amazing charity.
“Until the 18th February, all your entries and all your donations will be matched by the UK government, helping keep families in Afghanistan together, and giving children real hope for a safer and more secure future”
Rob Williams, CEO of War Child UKsaid: “We are truly grateful to all of our incredible supporters for their generosity – we have some remarkable prizes available and feel very fortunate to be able to share those with the public.
“We are also very fortunate to have the support of the UK government through Aid Match, which will help funds raised from our Torn From Home appeal have an even greater impact on our work in Afghanistan, and to the lives of the children and families we are supporting there”
For more information, to enter a prize draw, or purchase gifts visit warchildwintershop.com/
Did you attend any events at this summer’s Edinburgh International Festival? If so, the organisers would like to hear from you – and you could be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher too.
Anyone who completes the survey will be given the chance to win a £50 Voucher for a shop/outlet of their choice so please do encourage people to give their feedback and enter the prize draw.
The deadline for survey responses is Wednesday 26th September.
