Charity Raffle for Spread a Smile and Young Minds
Omega Speedmaster Professional, Formex Essence, Yema Spacegraf, Seiko Prospex, FIVE Casioaks and a Big Orange Lump
Tickets £20 a pop
January 2022 marks 5 years since Laura’s treatment for kidney cancer concluded. It is a significant landmark because she is now considered to be in long-term remission.
We are elated that her childhood cancer has not returned, although the physical and mental health after-effects are considerable and both will almost certainly remain for the rest of her life. She manages these with lots of support and medication.
This fundraiser is for two charities devoted to supporting and encouraging young people who are going through terribly difficult times. https://www.justgiving.com/team/FiveYears
Please do not donate directly to the charities as I have no way of knowing about the transaction. Only use the Team Member links on the JustGiving page, so that your username appears in the list of donors.
Up for grabs is a superb Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch'. Some extremely generous members have added a spectacular selection of runner-up prizes.
The Charities
Spread a Smile is an absolutely brilliant organisation dedicated to improving the time spent by children in hospital and in aftercare. They provide a wide variety of entertainers and make a huge difference to the youngsters by diverting attention away from their treatment, stimulating their minds and alleviating the boredom and monotony that is inevitable during extended hospital stays.
Many of the children are very seriously ill with life limiting conditions, and the arrival of a Spread a Smile entertainer is an absolute highlight. Siblings attending the hospitals are included in activities as they are often deeply affected by the illness of their sister or brother. We were all charmed and distracted by the visits of the Spread a Smile entertainers whilst Laura was attending GOSH and UCLH for her cancer treatments. Laughter sometimes really is the best medicine.
I’m sure that we’re all well aware that more young people than ever are experiencing significant mental health issues. Even in easier times 75% of mental ill health develops by age 18. Young Minds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.
The Prizes
1. Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch' 3570.50.00
2. Formex Essence Blue Sunburst Dial donated by thebuffoon
3. Yema Spacegraf Zero-G or Yema Superman Maxi Dial Diver, donated by nickyboyo
4. Seiko Prospex SBEP003 donated by Carlton-Browne
5. Casio G-Shock GA-2100-4AER 'Red Casioak' donated by Michael E
6. Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1AER 'Black Casioak' donated by Michael E
7. Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1A1ER 'Stealth Casioak' donated by Michael E
8. Casio G-Shock GA-2100SU-1AER 'Camo Casioak' donated by Michael E
9. Casio G-Shock GA-2110SU-9AER 'Yellow Casioak' donated by Michael E
10. Big Orange Lump donated by nickyboyo
11. Jura Watch Winder donated by lucklyal
12. Snap-on LED150 Multi-tool donated by Neilw3030
13. Alkin Model One donated by AIDM
14. Seiko Solar Radio Chronograph donated by j111dja
15. Exactus Mechanical Calculator
The Raffle
To take part, please post in this thread and donate £20 per entry to either of the charities here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/FiveYears
Please do not donate directly to the charities as I have no way of knowing about the transaction. Only use the Team Member links on the JustGiving page, so that your username appears in the list of donors.
Please just choose according to your personal preference (although it would be nice if they receive roughly the same in the end). To avoid the 'additional contribution', select 'Other' and enter £0 in the box.
Feel free to take part multiple times and if you are not interested in the prizes, you are welcome to donate anyway!
Please include your TZ-UK username in the comments if it's not obvious. I’ll maintain a list of the participants here so make it easy for me to identify you!
The aim is to conduct the draw on Friday 4 February, which is World Cancer Day. I’ll cap sales at 600 tickets, so the draw could end up being earlier.
Non UK winners are likely to be hit for import fees, apologies and I hope that does not put too many members off participating.
Prize Details
The main prize is this Omega Speedmaster Professional 'Moonwatch' 3570.50.00, complete with red box and papers dating from 2014. The watch has been seldom worn and the bracelet even less so. It has been very well cared for by both myself and the previous owner and is as nice an example for its age as you're ever likely to see.
I’ll also throw in a GasGasBones NASA style Velcro strap.
The first runner-up will receive this absolutely lovely Formex Essence with Blue Sunburst Dial, very generously donated by thebuffoon. The paperwork dates it to May 2020 and it has clearly only seen light duties. It is on a cracking Formex bracelet currently sized for about a 18cm/7” wrist. There are no spare links at present but I’m told that Formex are superb to deal with. A lightly used grey-blue Formex strap with deployant is also included.
The third place prize is a choice between an absolutely belting Yema Spacegraf Zero-G or a Yema Superman Maxi Dial Diver, considerately donated by nickyboyo.
Carlton-Browne has thoughtfully added a cracking Seiko Prospex SBEP003, AKA 'Digital Tuna'. Despite the size, it is really light. Loads of features, solar powered, all charged up and ready for some serious adventures.
The next five prizes are all variations on the popular and highly modifiable Casio G-Shock GA-2100, very kindly provided by Michael E. These are absolute belters and all brand new. I’ve allocated them in the above list in no particular order.
And finally we have a Big Orange Lump also donated by nickyboyo. Love it!
STOP PRESS 28/01 - Additional runner-up prizes added!
lucklyal has kindly added this swish Jura Watch Winder with black carbon fibre effect finish and black leather cushion. It's completely unused, any marks in the image are just dust specks.
And Neilw3030 has generously provided a splendid Snap-on LED150 Multi-tool. We all love Snap-on gear!
This continues to exceed our hopes and expectations, so it is a pleasure to announce another watch in the list of runners-up prizes.
AIDM has generously provided this super legible Alkin Model One with green dial, orange seconds hand, bead-blasted black PVD case and completely unused black leather strap.
We like our microbrands in these parts and this is a real corker.
j111dja has generously added a Seiko Solar Radio Chronograph complete with original 22mm Seiko leather strap (that has seen little use), the boxes, booklet, hang tags and warranty card dated 2019.
Cheeky Curta Bonus
Enormous thanks to the prize donors, all supporters, and to Eddie for use of the platform.
Matthew and family
https://www.justgiving.com/team/FiveYears
I'll update the list here as often as I can, roughly in the order that posts and donations appear. The list will not become final until just before the draw.