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Last night a woman living in Dublin won a raffle for a pretty picture postcard farmhouse in Co Mayo to raise money for healthcare workers.
The couple who own the house near Foxford, which raised about 1 million euros in the raffle, described the level of interest as “unreal.”
An Irish couple based in Canada, who are survivors of Covid-19, decided in June to raffle off their home because they wanted to give something back after surviving the virus.
The decision to fundraise for health support workers came from a combination of their own recent experience with the virus, seeing friends and family around them affected by cancer, and a lifelong belief that support staff in hospitals it does not receive the recognition it deserves.
The retired businessman and former physician, with homes around the world, wanted to raise funds for healthcare workers.
The retired businessman says he nearly died after contracting coronavirus en route from Mexico to Canada in early March.
They have asked to remain anonymous.
Tickets cost € 10 and the money came in for weeks and quickly surpassed the pair’s initial goal of € 250,000.
Contributions came from all sectors, but mainly from people with ties to Ireland.
Most ticket buyers bought in small quantities, while some ranged to 25 tickets for € 250.
The 150-year-old farmhouse on the Mayo side of the Ox Mountains had been put on the market through local agent CK Auctioneers earlier this year and attracted offers of up to € 90,000.
In a statement on its website Saturday morning, CK Auctioneers said that “the winner of the cottage is a lady from Dublin. According to the GDPR, we are waiting for the winner’s permission to publish her name. “
The fund is being managed by a Dublin-based accountant who plans to collaborate with Siptu to distribute the money across the healthcare sector fairly.
Plans to give money directly to healthcare workers were scrapped due to tax implications and other complexities for recipients. The money will now be used as an educational fund.
The winner has secured an idyllic vacation escape upgraded in recent years to include storage heating and a solid fuel stove. They will also receive rights to mow their own grass in the nearby swamp.
The draw took place at 10pm Irish time.
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