United's Christmas raffle will support local children's ward

Torquay United's 2023 Christmas raffle will raise funds for the Louisa Cary ward at Torbay Hospital.
The children’s ward cares for a number of children aged between 0 and 18 with any medical, surgical or psychological conditions requiring inpatient care.
Earlier this year a new monitor to measure a child’s carbon dioxide levels was identified as a priority by the Ward, with the Gulls challenging everyone connected with the club to unite together in aid of this worthy cause.
With proceeds from last December’s FA Cup Shirt and February’s signed football raffles both being donated towards this very special project, the club was delighted to reach the target required for this vital piece of equipment – which United players Lewis Collins and Jack Stobbs went to see in place on the ward on a visit back in September. The club's latest raffle will see money raised for a new parent bed on the ward – the hospital hopes to eventually ensure that every bed on the ward has a parent bed next to it, to enable parents to get a good night’s sleep by their child’s bedside.
Paediatric Sister Sarah Pallister said: "Being in hospital can be a distressing time for a poorly child and these beds provide parents of sick children a vital place of comfort at the bedside of their child. When a parent bed isn’t available, all we can offer to parents is an upright chair by the bedside, this isn’t ideal and doesn’t make for a good nights’ sleep. When a parent has properly rested they can better support their child during this stressful and unsettling time.
“We are so grateful to Torquay United and their supporters for raising funds for a new parent bed for the ward, a piece of equipment that we wouldn’t be able to fund otherwise, that will make such a difference to the children and parents we support for many years to come.”
Each bed costs around £1,500 and is specially manufactured for use in the hospital environment and can be cleaned and disinfected using the same products as used for all other hospital beds and mattresses. They will sleep adults up to 200kg safely and in comfort.
While the NHS provides all the essentials on the ward, the Torbay and South Devon NHS Charity helps to fund the items, equipment and services over and above this which help to improve and enhance patient care.
Tickets are now available to buy in Boots & Laces and the Club Shop during opening hours, with raffle tickets priced at £2 per ticket, or three for £5.
Prizes include a signed shirt, mascot package, £50 Mercure Voucher, a one night stay for two at the Cary Arms & Spa, and many more! The raffle itself will be drawn in Boots & Laces following the club 2023 Children’s Christmas Tours on the afternoon of Thursday 21st December.