» Enter big raffle and help the lives of children

BY entering a much-loved charity’s Christmas raffle for as little as £2 you could help improve the lives of sick and disabled children across Gloucestershire.

The impressive raffle, set up by Pied Piper Appeal in partnership with Smart Communications in Gloucester, is offering those who enter the chance to win 100 impressive prizes - some of which have even been donated by famous faces.

The chances of winning are huge and the prizes are amazing with celebrities such as Kate Winslet, David Walliams and Helen Mirren having donated to the cause.

With everything from cash prizes to hotel stays, jewellery, and signed photos, there’s something for everyone in the draw.

Founded in 1992, The Pied Piper Appeal, is the leading children’s charity in Gloucestershire. Its mission is to make a difference to the lives of sick and disabled children in the county.

But the charity relies on the support of the public and this year has proven difficult for the team as the coronavirus pandemic has meant many fundraising efforts have had to be put on hold.

The charity raises money to help in four main ways. The Pied Piper Appeal funds the Children’s Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and other county hospitals.

It also supports all of the SEND Schools in the county with equipment and resources and sends children with life-limiting illnesses and their families on Wish Holidays to make lasting memories.

Plus, it works every day to improve children’s experiences at mental health facilities in the county.

The Pied Piper Appeal was founded by Peter Hickman to raise money to fund a new children’s hospital for the county - which opened at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in 2004.

Roger Head, as Chairman of the Appeal, then moved the charity into areas involving raising money to supply equipment for the special schools in the county.

Thanks to the generous people of Gloucestershire the charity has so far raised more than £4million to help local children.

After the incredible success of previous Pied Piper Christmas raffles, the team wanted this year’s raffle to be just as impressive, despite the ongoing pandemic, so they went around gathering impressive gifts from some kind, local supporters.

First prize is £500 cash donated by the Blue Bamboo Bar in Gloucester Docks. Pied Piper has also had some generous and exciting donations from Truscotts Jewellers and has even had prizes donated by celebrities such as Kate Moss, The Rolling Stones, Gloucester Rugby and Jamie Carragher.

To be in with a chance of winning, buy a ticket or two online or buy from the Pied Piper office and shops or local contacts.

You can buy one ticket for £2, two for £4 and so forth up to 25 tickets for £50.

The raffle closes at midnight on December 16, 2020 so you’ll need to be quick.

The 100 impressive prizes include: » £500 cash prize - Blue Bamboo Bar » Mystery prize with value of £400 - Gloucester Glass

» 10 Downing Street booklet - donated and signed by Boris Johnson » Jewellery - Truscotts Jewellers » £250 hotel voucher - KT’Z Travel Agents, Gloucester

» Caravan weekend in Minehead - Jayne & Daryl Wilsdon-brown

» Gym PT session and membership - Amin Khan

» Bernhard Langer signed golf glove and picture - Bernhard Langer » Classic brewery tour - Hillside Brewery » Beer tasting for two with beer to take away - Hillside Brewery

» £100 of Raging Bull clothing - Raging Bull » Bottle of champagne - Anderson Recruitment

» £50 voucher - Ninja Warrior UK, Gloucester » Signed Helen Mirren photo - Helen Mirren » Sanitiser and dispenser - Simple Hygiene Solutions

» Family Day Pass - Soldiers Of Gloucester Museum

» Signed Danielle Lloyd photo - Danielle Lloyd

» Dashcam (£150) - Aston Installations » Action Video Cameras (similar to Gopro) - Aston Installations

» LFC signed memorabilia - Jamie Carragher » Signed Kate Winslet photo - Kate Winslet » One- hour plane flying lesson - Thomas & Thomas Estate Agents

» One-hour acrobatic plane flight - Thomas & Thomas Estate Agents

» Gloucester Rugby signed shirt - Anonymous

» Smart Door locks - Choice Trade Frames » Banksy inspired wireless phone charger - Smart Communications

» 2kg mixed sweet bag - Sugar Rush Candy » Children’s party package - Generation Events

» Afternoon tea for four with bubbly - The Club

» Body Shop products - Emma Dodds » Charlie Sharples (Glos Rugby) signed print - Smart Communications » Breakfast for four - Seymour Cafe » Signed Rolling Stones book - Bill Wyman » Three-pack Manuka Honey (£50) - Nelson Honey

» Level 3 First Aid training course - First Aid & Trauma Training » Commemorative t-shirt - Real Madrid FC » Kate Moss signed book - Kate Moss » Bottle of Tuilagin Gin signed by Freddie - Freddie Tuilagi

» David Walliams Book (signed) - David Walliams

» Inspiration By Davina candle set 1 - Davina Salter

» Inspiration By Davina candle set 2 - Davina Salter

» Roger Federer signed memorabilia - Roger Federer

» ASOS Faux Coat Size 10 » Soap set - Donated by Cotswold Lavender » Dean forest railway vouchers for two x2 - Donated by Dean Forest Railway

» Four Ball voucher - Donated by Cotswold Edge Golf Club

» Book bundle - Donated by Eve Coy » Book with blanket and teddy - Donated by Eve Coy

» Golf voucher for two - Donated by Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel and Golf Club

» X1 adult and x1 child voucher - Donated by Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens

» £100 voucher - Donated by Baavet Wool Duvets

To find out more about Pied Piper Appeal and to buy a raffle ticket, visit the website.

Raffle tickets start from £2

Quite the luxury, a hamper from Harvey Nichols donated by RRA Architects is just one of the prizes up for grabs Pictures: Pied Piper Appeal

Tuilagin has been donated by the Tuilagi family

Vice Chairman and Volunteer, Julie Kent MBE, pictured with Emma and Kelly from the Pied Piper Appeal team