Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Teen raises £30K in cup final raffle
A 14-YEAR-OLD Rangers FC fan from Dundee has raised more than £30,000 by raffling his tickets to the Europa League final.
Mitchell Carling had initially hoped to raise £20,000 with his charity auction – but smashed that target within 24 hours.
The raffle runs until Sunday, with a new stretch target of £55,555.
Proceeds from the £20 raffle tickets will be split between diabetes research charity JDRF and Caudwell Children, a charity which supports disabled and autistic children.
Mitchell is the son of Graeme and Leanne Carling, owners of Dundee construction services firm McGill and property firm The Carling Group.
The teenager said: “When I got the tickets, I was obviously over the moon but seeing the demand for the tickets online made me think how valuable they were, and that I could do some good by raffling them for charity.
“I’ve seen some tickets going for thousands. By holding a raffle everyone has a chance, and someone will win two tickets for just £20.”
Mitchell said he’s been astonished at the amount raised.
More than 1,300 supporters have purchased a raffle ticket and he’s been inundated with comments congratulating him on the goodwill gesture.
The charity total currently sits at £31,500.
He said: “In under 24 hours I hit my initial £20,000 target, and a short while ago we passed £30,000.
“The number just keeps getting higher.
“I decided to raise my target to £55,555, for reasons I am sure any Rangers fan will understand.”
Fifty-five is a meaningful number to Rangers fans as the club won their 55th league title last year.
Rangers will face German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the European competition in Seville on Wednesday.
The online raffle is being run through charity website Crowdfunder.
The draw is open until 3pm on Sunday May 15, with the winner announced at 6pm to allow time for travel arrangements.
Tickets to enter the raffle can be purchased online at crowdfunder. co.uk/p/2-x-2022-europa-leaguefinal-tickets