Durham Family Win Trip of a Lifetime
A Durham family are already getting excited for the festive season – after winning a dream trip to Lapland at Newcastle Christmas Village.
Samantha Pattinson took her two youngest sons – six-year-old Carlton and Kingston, seven, for a day out to Newcastle to enjoy the festivities.
But she came away with more than she bargained for, after buying one of the special keepsake mugs full of hot chocolate and then discovering a gold mark on the bottom.
And now the single mum from Sherburn Road, Durham is looking forward to the trip of a lifetime with her mum and her two boys, when they’ll head off for a magical visit to Lapland this December.
The competition was organised by EVNT Inspirations, which worked on behalf of Newcastle City Council and NE1 to deliver this year’s Newcastle Christmas, who teamed up with Hays Travel to provide the £3000 prize.
“We drunk the hot chocolate and the girl said to us to make sure we checked the mug as the prize hadn’t been won,” said Samantha.
“We couldn’t believe it when we saw the gold mark – it was like a dream come true.
“It took me a couple of days to take it in and the boys are already so excited, they’ve been telling everyone they’re going to ‘Lappyland’.
“It will be something for us to look forward to all year.”
The lucky winners will travel in style, picked up from their home and taken to Teesside Airport courtesy of Nearby Taxis and then they’ll be able to use the VIP lounge before heading off on their trip of a lifetime.
The family will enjoy a packed day of entertainment, which includes a sleigh ride through the woods and an audience with Santa.
Nigel Holliday, one of the directors of EVENT Inspirations thanked everyone who had supported the competition.
“We had an absolutely fantastic Christmas in Newcastle and this was topped off by Samantha winning this incredible experience,” he said.
“We are grateful to Hays Travel, the UK’s largest independent travel agents, for partnering with us and helping to make the festivities in the city even more memorable.”
