Mum thrilled after winning car in hospice raffle

A Derby mum has spoken of her delight after winning a competition organised by Treetops Hospice to win a car, courtesy Ron Brooks Toyota.

Jo Butler, of Alvaston, drove away with a brand-new Toyota Aygo X Edge, worth £17,000, after winning first prize in the Treetops Hospice Summer Raffle.

The vehicle was donated by Ron Brooks to help the Risley-based end-of-life charity celebrate its 40th anniversary year.

Mum-of-two Jo said: “I was on holiday in Greece when I received the call to say I’d won. I wasn’t sure if it was genuine!

“I never imagined that I would be fortunate enough to win. I’m over the moon and still can’t believe how lucky I am to have won. It’s all so surreal.”

Widowed in 2019, Jo explained how her late husband Shaun would have been particularly thrilled with her win.

She said: “Shaun worked for Toyota for over 18 years. In 2003, he had a life-changing accident while we were on a family holiday.

“A fall into the sea resulted in tetraplegia (a condition where you can’t move the upper and lower parts of the body). He became a full-time wheelchair user and relied on 24-hour care at home.

“While Shaun was in hospital following his accident, a nurse said to him, ‘tetraplegics don’t work’, which gave him the determination to prove her wrong and be able to return to his role of team leader at Toyota.

“Toyota were absolutely amazing, and Shaun achieved his goal of returning to work until he took early retirement in 2017 because of ill health.

“I know he would be so pleased that I have won a car and that it’s a Toyota!”

As well as the car, Ron Brooks Toyota also donated runner-up prizes including £2,000, a pair of tickets to the British GT Championships at Donington Park, and twenty £50 prizes.

Kevin Slack, managing director at Ron Brooks, which is based at Ilkeston, said: “We’re delighted that a local person has won this terrific prize, and it’s very fitting given Jo’s late husband’s long career with Toyota.

“We are also very pleased to help Treetops raise money to enable them to keep doing their fantastic, and much needed, care in the local community.

“We’ve just celebrated 60 years in business and 50 years with Toyota. In the last year, our joint founder, Mrs Elsie Brooks, passed away aged 92.

“She had been a long-time supporter of Treetops and so it was important to us to mark the occasion, in her memory, and work with the charity on this raffle.”

Treetops raised more than £26,000 from this summer’s raffle, which will go towards providing nursing care and emotional support to adults with life-limiting conditions, those who’ve been bereaved and their families.

Chief executive Julie Heath said: “We were thrilled to be able to offer people the chance to win such an amazing prize during our 40th birthday year.

“We’re so grateful to Ron Brooks Toyota for their very generous donation and want to congratulate Jo on her brilliant win!”