A doting daughter, who regularly drives family members to hospital appointments, is finally able to replace her 22-year-old car after winning a life-changing sum of money at her work’s Christmas party.
Rachel Ryder, who works a sales ledger administrator for online electricals retailer AO, won £2,500 after her name was drawn at random during a giveaway hosted by CEO, John Roberts.
Rachel, 26, of Bolton, says that the money will finally allow her to replace her old Volkswagen Polo, which is falling apart and has a “dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree”.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it! The whole night was an unreal experience, and the money will help me and my family massively.
“My mum, dad and grandma have health issues that mean I often need to be on hand to drive them around and take them wherever they need. Having a new car will make it easier to do shopping and take them to appointments.
“I just can’t thank AO enough, because if my car just gave up anytime soon, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
The biggest winner on the night was Jake Wardle, who works in AO’s commercial team and won an incredible £5,000. The 27-year-old from Westhoughton is planning on spending the money on a dream trip to the States with his family, after a previous trip was cancelled due to the pandemic, leaving him out of pocket.
Other prizes included six lots of £250, an iPhone 15, a 75” TV, an all-expenses-paid night for 14 people in a suite at the AO Arena, for a show of the winner’s choice, and of course an AO teddy bear.
One person who won £250 was mum-to-be Kirsty Gordon, who works on the payroll team at the AO Logistics headquarters in Crewe.
“I was over the moon,” she said. “I’m 16 weeks pregnant and having a baby is so expensive so this will help me buy a pram.”
Held at Sale Sharks’ AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday 9th December, the annual AO Christmas Party was a no-expense-spared extravaganza, featuring stilt walkers, roller skaters, live music from band The Lightyears, a DJ, and free food and drinks all night.
John Roberts, AO’s CEO and Founder, said: “Our legendary AO Christmas Party is always an epic night and a well-earned chance for our AOers to play hard after working hard all year.
“During the year, we create magic in the moments that matter for our customers but it’s also special to be able to do that for our people so it’s mega to know that these prizes will make such a massive difference to our open-the-box winners including Rachel, Jake and Kirsty.”