A simple act of giving back to Mater Little Miracles has turned into a $300,000 Play For Purpose First Prize Pack for a Windermere Park mum who never thought she’d win a thing.
The $300,000 First Prize Pack from Play For Purpose Raffle 31, drawn Monday 25 May 2026, included a shiny new Volkswagen Crafter Kampervan worth $182,554.45, $102,445.55 in Gold Bullion and a BCF voucher worth $15,000.
Remarkably, it was the Lake Macquarie resident’s first ever Play For Purpose ticket in support of Mater Little Miracles.
“Oh my god! Oh my god! Is this true?” she cried.
“I’ve won, what?! This is the best news I’ve ever heard! I’m crying!
“When I bought the Play For Purpose tickets to support Mater Little Miracles, Rural Aid, Kindness Factory, Love Your Sister and Rural Doctors, winning the first prize was the last thing on my mind.
“I was on the phone to my elderly mum when I saw a call come through from a number I didn’t recognise.
“I said to her, ‘I don’t know who it is, but if it’s important, they’ll leave a voicemail.’ I listened to the message, called her back and said, ‘I’ve just had a call from Play For Purpose and I’ve won something! Mum, I don’t even know what I’ve won!’
“She said, ‘Well, you’d better call them back!’
“This is fantastic! My daughter said, ‘You and nan can spend time together and go travelling,’ and when I mentioned it to my mum, we started talking about going camping.
“I just can’t believe we were only talking about it and now we’ve won a campervan. It’s amazing!
“I can’t wait to ring my mum back and tell her what’s happened. I’ll be able to jump into the campervan, drive to her house, pick her up and go travelling!
“I’ll share the good news with my daughter and son too.
“I’m going to have a cup of tea to calm down, then crack open a bottle of champagne I’ve been saving for a special occasion.
“I can’t thank you enough!”
Mater Foundation Corporate and Community Engagement Director Rowan Foster shared knowing the winner chose to support Mater Little Miracles makes it even more meaningful.
“Every ticket purchased helps us continue providing life-saving care to seriously ill and premature babies and supporting their families when they need it most,” he said.
The winner purchased their entry at playforpurpose.com.au or at thelott.com/play-for-purpose/play.
The winning woman purchased her entry in support of Mater Little Miracles at playforpurpose.com.au .
Other major prize winners were from across Australia, including Narara, Banksia Park, Doncaster East and Nhill who won second, third, fourth and fifth prize packages in support of including Children’s Hospital Foundation, LIVIN, Children’s Hospital Foundation and Rural Aid.
