MINI Pay Out for Regimental Pay Sergeant

Sgt Alison Boulton of 2 Royal Tank Regiment wins MINI Cooper in ABF raffle

The Army Benevolent Fund Summer Raffle in Germany culminated this October with a Prize Draw to win a MINI Cooper. Soldiers and their families based in Germany had been digging deep to lend their support to the ABF all summer, in the hope of winning the top prize.

The task of drawing the ticket everyone wanted to win fell to Mrs Caroline Richards, and Sgt Alison Boulton of 2 Royal Tank Regiment, Fallingbostel was first out of the hat.

"The ABF is delighted with the response in BFG to the raffle for the MINI Cooper Park Lane, sponsored by NAAFI Financial, in aid of the charity. The car goes to one lucky individual; the money raised will go to help many hundreds of soldiers, former soldiers and their families who are in need. We are very grateful indeed to NAAFI Financial, to ticket sellers and to all our supporters in Germany."

Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, Controller of the ABF

The surprise of her life

With the help of Captain Simon Ridgeway, Adjutant 2 RTR, Alison was kept in the dark about her win until being called to the Sergeants’ Mess by WO1 Glen Scott, the RSM, where she was given the surprise of her life.

“I don’t believe it – I really can’t believe I have won a MINI, and I’m terrible with surprises so I was really shocked! But I have to say I thought something funny was going on because the RSM mentioned that my luck would change! I have always supported the ABF and bought 12 raffle tickets, but I had given up on the idea of ever winning anything in competitions. But what with my recent promotion to Sergeant and this happening I feel the tide has really changed for me – and my Mum says I deserve it!”

Sgt Alison Boulton

The summer-long campaign has received terrific support from Garrisons throughout BFG, raising a five-figure sum for the ABF who are giving 20% of the proceeds to SSAFA to help with it’s case work and in recognition of its special role in Germany.