Nelson Women’s and Children’s Refuge received a ‘lucky’ donation last week after the winner of a competition at Mitre 10 Mega Nelson decided to give his prize away to people “who need it more than me”.
Alistair Forde won $1500 last week in a Mitre 10 Mega Nelson promotion after purchasing some outdoor furniture during the store’s three-day Outdoor Furniture Expo. He put his docket in the draw for the competition and last Monday got a call from Mitre 10 saying he had won his money back.
“I almost thought it was someone playing a hoax because I never win anything,” Alistair says. “I was lucky to win this too, because I wasn’t going to put my docket in the bucket – I only did it because my wife told me to do it.”
But instead of pocketing the $1500 prize, Alistair decided to give it away. He donated half to the Nelson Women’s and Children’s Refuge and the other half to a family member “who needs it more than me”.
“The women and children who are affected by their social conditions need help, so it’s a very good cause,” Alistair says.
Nelson Women’s and Children’s Refuge manager Katie O’Donnell says they were delighted to get Alistair’s donation last week.
The refuge is mostly funded by the Ministry of Social Development but needs additional income to keep operating, so donations are always welcomed.
“Those kind of generous donations don’t just keep us going, they gladden our hearts as well,” Katie says. “It makes us feel that what we do is worthwhile and that people notice.”
Alistair is also hoping that after his big win, his wife Julie won’t be so opposed to him going shopping for man-things at Mitre 10.
“I love shopping there,” he says. “I’m always sneaking down there to buy stuff and my wife keeps telling me off.”
Mitre 10 Mega Nelson marketing manager, Murray Leaning, says they run the Outdoor Furniture Expo competition every year and this year “we got absolutely slammed” with entries.
