Laura Lowther, a York-based trainee primary teacher, has organised a raffle to raise money for the Woodlands children’s ward at Harrogate District Hospital. The tickets to enter cost £5 and the prize for the winner is a £50 book voucher and book bundle.

Laura is aiming to raise an amazing £450 from the raffle, all of which will go directly to Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity (HHCC) towards the ongoing refurbishments on the Woodlands ward. The raffle winner will be drawn by a random generator.

As well as a trainee primary teacher, Laura is an Independent Usborne Organiser who independently sell the award-winning books through their own ‘pop-up bookshops’ and events.

She decided to use her platform to raise some money after spending a lot of time earlier this year as a visitor at the hospital while her dad was receiving care there following a stroke.

Laura said: “I am eternally grateful to the team involved in my dad’s care, as well as every NHS employee for their incredible work throughout this pandemic. Being a patient in hospital can be a scary time, so these developments of the children’s ward are really important in helping children and their families feel at ease during their time in hospital.

“Help me say thank you to Harrogate District Hospital and our fabulous NHS heroes.”

Georgia Hudson, HHCC Community and Events Fundraiser, said: “We are so grateful to Laura for taking the time to organise this raffle and work around the challenges that donating and fundraising during the Covid-19 pandemic bring.

“The money she raises will be a huge contribution to the children’s ward ongoing refurbishments which will go a long way to improving the care experience our children and families have.”

Find out more and get involved on Facebook here: https://bit.ly/3mcJ1Jz or by emailing Laura directly on lauralowther@hotmail.co.uk.