Holiday home win for Waiku couple
Charmaine McGillian always considered her $12.50 Heart Foundation lottery ticket purchase a donation to a worthwhile charity.
Winning a brand new Jennian Home in Whitianga is a dream come true for Charmaine and Mike McGillian, pictured here with Jennian Homes Coromandel director Haley Trebilco
The Waiuku mother of three never dreamed it would win her a half-million dollar fully-furnished Jennian Home in Whitianga.
Even now, after spending a 10-day holiday in her new four-bedroom dream home, Charmaine still has trouble believing her good luck.
“It really is life-changing,” she says.
“The home is in such a fantastic, family-friendly location and the house itself is wonderful, so well thought out and decorated beautifully.”
Charmaine, a nurse, and her husband Mike, an electrician, both juggle full-time shiftwork with looking after their three young daughters. For them having a holiday home was always a dream.
“We wouldn’t ever sell the home, we’ll keep it for holidays and share it with family, after all it is only a couple of hours out of Auckland.”
Charmaine started buying Heart Foundation lottery tickets regularly in 2009 as she considered it a way of giving to a good cause.
“While we don’t have a family history of heart disease, we’re aware of the high number of people affected by it,” she says.
“I know the amazing work the Heart Foundation does across the board and, as a nurse, I fully support any information that helps people to better health. It is a reputable charity and one we are happy to support.”
Heart disease and stroke are New Zealand’s biggest killers – accounting for 40% of all deaths each year.
The Heart Foundation is the charity working to stop New Zealanders dying prematurely from heart disease. It does this through funding vital heart research and continuing education of cardiologists, improving heart disease risk assessment and cardiac care, and promoting heart healthy lifestyles.
Annually, the Heart Foundation runs six lotteries; each offering a new, fully-furnished Jennian home as first prize as well as other significant runner up prizes including overseas travel and a new car. Visit www.heart.org.nz for ticket information.
Jennian Homes is the major sponsor of the Heart Foundation Lottery, and is proud to be able to give back to the community through supporting such a worthy cause.
Jennian Homes Coromandel director Haley Trebilco says the McGillian’s Whitianga home is particularly special to her. “It’s wonderful to see this prize go to a couple with a young family. This is a truly life-changing experience for them and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.
“Along with all the other local businesses which have contributed to this amazing home, we’re rapt to have been given this opportunity to work with the Heart Foundation and to be able to support the good work it does in the community,” Haley says.
“We’re proud to do our bit towards helping to keep New Zealand families together for longer.”
