The fund-raising raffle at our Annual General Meeting may not sound an obvious choice for local businesses but the recent raffle at the Talking Newspaper’s 2016 AGM proved that there is, as the recent Mayor said, “great generosity from individuals and businesses across the District”.

“It can be quite daunting knocking on doors and asking for a donation or a voucher or gift”, said SADTN’s fund raiser, Jenny Schon. But Jenny and her raffle prize colleague, Jill Bond, clearly did not hold back in their efforts.

An impressive list of prizes and vouchers faced SADTN’s listeners, volunteers and guests as they waited anxiously, raffle tickets in hand, for the City & District Mayor, Cllr Saleh Gaygasuz, to make the draw, ably assisted by Deputy Mayor of Harpenden Town, Cllr Mrs Nicola Linacre.

At the head of the list in terms of ‘equivalent cash value’ was a generous voucher from Sopwell House Country Club & Spa, enabling the holder of the winning ticket to enjoy a “Simply Sopwell Day” for two people. Next up was a £70 voucher for a meal at Côte Restaurant in St Albans.

Vouchers were also provided by Cath Kidston, Hotter Shoes, Sainsbury’s, Ayletts, Waterstones and Wilko. A gift set from Neal’s Yard Remedies, champagne from Tesco, chocolates from Waitrose, various beauty products from Boots the Chemist and a photo frame from WH Smith wrapped up the donations from local businesses. On top of all that came several gifts and donations from private individuals.

As Jill commented after it was all over: “this year we raised what is, I believe, a record sum for the charity AGM raffle – just over £250. And every penny goes to help our wonderful listeners.”