People are being invited to buy tickets for a raffle with great prizes to be won - and all money raised going towards improving the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport.

There are over 70 superb prizes on offer, with a prize value of up to £250.
Tickets are £5 each and are available by messaging organiser Jess Thwaites on Facebook here.

Prizes include £50 Marks & Spencer vouchers, panto tickets for The Atkinson, a two night stay with breakfast and drink in bar at Anelli Hotel and Amici Bar, a Christmas Hamper from Red Squirrel Creations, a £60 voucher for Mamma Mia’s restaurant, a £50 platter dine-in experience at Sushi Fusion, and much more besides - see the full list below!

The draw will take place on 9th December.

The raffle has been organised by the Make A Change For Ben campaign.

The campaign was launched by David Rawsthorne after his best friend Ben Smith-Crallan died after falling into the lake at Botanic Gardens.

David, members of Ben’s family and their supports have since been campaigning to raise money to clean up the lake and install safety features.

So far they have raised over £25,000, through a Sportsman’s Dinner with John Barnes, through an online fundraising appeal and through other methods.

Raffle organiser Jess Thwaites said: “We’ve already raised £25,000 for the Make A Change For Ben campaign and we need to get to £30,000.

“To have achieved that in a year would be an unimaginable accomplishment by Ben’s family and friends through the campaign.

“The main motivation for doing this raffle, aside from the need to raise the money to have the improvements required to Botanic Gardens, we really wanted to ensure that our campaign is a community one.

“It is designed to reach and appeal to the majority of the community with a wide variety of prizes with a value from £9-£250.

“We have over 70 prizes on offer and we think that asking for £5 per entry means that it is inclusive for everyone.

“The park is used by all walks of life and a variety of ages. It’s the community’s park, it’s the community's raffle and it’s the generosity of the businesses in this community that have donated prizes to make it happen. We couldn’t be more grateful.

“We had lots of feedback from the Sportsman’s Dinner that people wanted to support us but weren’t available or didn’t have the financial capacity to come so hopefully this is their chance to get behind the campaign, whilst also having the opportunity to win an amazing prize.

“The calibre of the prizes is outstanding so we hope the community joins in and has a bit of fun.

“Terms and conditions are pinned to the announcement section on the MaCFB campaign Facebook page which need to be read before purchasing a ticket.”

List of Make A Change For Ben Raffle Prizes:

Red Squirrel Creations - Christmas Eve Box
TBSAH with Sarah Jayne - Hamper
Pebbles & Treasures - Voucher
White Noise Studio - 4 hour recording session
Farmhouse Kitchen - Taster night for 2
Marks and Spencer’s - £50 voucher
Marks and Spencer’s - £50 voucher
Seamingly Brilliant - £15 voucher
Jacksons Traditional Fish & Chips - £40 voucher
Jabbiellas - £30 voucher
Gladys Armstrong Family Tree Family tree for a couple
Costa Del Southport - Spanish Cleaning Hamper
Simply Holistics - £20 voucher
Glitz and gifts - Voucher
Sushi Fusion - £50 platter dine in experience
Bistro Bar Med - £35 voucher
The Guelder Rose - Meal for 4 voucher
Beauty HQ Wesley Street - £30 voucher for make up session
PMV Valeting - Gift voucher
Vintage Tea Rooms - Afternoon Tea for 2 with prosecco
Springwoods Health & Beauty - £20 voucher
A Little Bit Vintage - £30 stationary voucher
Beauty Squad - Voucher
Majas Cakes - Voucher
Jades Cakes - £30 voucher
G Fox Hair Extensions - £100 hair extension
Old Duke - Meal for Four Voucher
Huda Bakery - Brownie/Blonde box of 8
Hokey Cokey Parties - £30 Voucher
JP's Cake Kitchen - £50 voucher
Scissors Churchtown - Gift bag
Barberlee - Voucher
Captain Candy - Mystery box
Chocolate Whirled - Chocolate Pizza
Beautiful You with Elizabeth - Voucher
The Woollen Pig £20 Voucher
The Yanwath Gate - Meal for 2
Deluxe Hot Tub Rentals - 2 days hire, gazebo, lights, drinks
The Dung Factory - £10 Voucher
I am your baker - £50 voucher
Beauty By Kayley - £40 voucher lashes
Churchtown Deli - £30 Voucher
Just wings - £25 voucher
Dunelm Mill - £25 voucher
Phoenix - Voucher
Anelli Hotel and Amici Br 2 night stay with breakfast and drink in bar
Morrisons - Hamper
The Windmill- £20 voucher
Mamma mias - £60 Voucher
Allumi Southport - Buddha Burner & 10 wax melts
Babyballet - 3 week trial
Atkinson - Panto 2 tickets
Gymophobics Ladies Gym - 3 month gym membership
Casa Italia - £50 Voucher
Teepee2u- £50 voucher
MIS cleaning - £50 Voucher
Purple Paws - 1 free dog groom
Fallen Angelz - £25 voucher
Toni Maria beauty - 1 make up with lashes
Dani V Aesthetics - £100 voucher
The Farmhouse Kitchen - £20 voucher
The Farmhouse Kitchen - £20 voucher
Tic Taco - 4 Ball and Meal for 4 at Tic Taco
Toni Maria Beauty - 1 semi permanent lashes
The Warehouse Gym - One month membership
La Tabella Churchtown - £50 voucher
Forever Melts - £50 voucher
Susha Aesthetics - Hydrating Facial

The draw will be held on 9th December 2021