Music: Paper Planes – Durden ft. Airtone by DURDEN (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/DURDEN/55041 Ft: Airtone
A UNIVERSITY of Sunderland graduate is raffling off her £300,000 four-storey city centre property – which could be won for just one £5 ticket.
The Edwardian terrace was built in 1803 in Norfolk Street and still boasts many of its original features, including a stunning white marble fireplace in the living room.
Owner Theresa Smith, a 2003 BSc (Hons) Psychology UoS graduate, said: “I don’t like going into a property and destroying the history of it.
“My favourite room in the house is on the first floor, with its original white marble fireplace, which is spacious and with plenty of light coming in from the bay windows.”
Theresa has worked at the property for 25 years, but is now semi-retiring and looking to downsize, whilst still running her counselling practice in Sunderland for 2-3 days a week.
Theresa said: “We all deserve a rest, don’t we!”
For 31 years she has run her own counselling and hypnotherapy practice – Norfolk Clinic Private Practice – helping young children and adults, and working with members of the armed forces and war veterans.
Theresa has sold 442 tickets so far, but has a target of 80,000. The prize draw is taking place on a platform called Raffall.
If the target isn’t reached, a winner will scoop 75% of the total amount raised by the raffle, with 25% going to Raffall.
Whilst raffling off the building, Theresa is also supporting local charities such as The Veterans’ Walk and Cuthy’s Big Bike Ride, projects which help support veterans and other public service workers such as firefighters, police officers, and ambulance and NHS staff.
Theresa said: “I will be working personally with Brothers in Arms, Veterans in Crisis Sunderland and Minds at War to identify individuals suffering PTSD who would benefit from therapeutic support.
“I feel emotional every time these men and women in uniform march through our streets”.
An animal lover, Theresa is also donating a Valentine’s Day Hamper giveaway worth £55 to a prize draw in aid of Happier Days for Strays, who help stray, abused, lost or unwanted dogs find new homes.
Other local businesses are also supporting the draw, with prizes including a cut and blow-dry and Loreal products from Frances Marshall in Sunderland City Centre, a week of healthy meals from the Wooden Galley in Hendon, Sunderland and Body Shop products from Consultant Lucy’s Lounge of Self Care. The draw takes place on February 21.
Visit Theresa’s Facebook page to keep up to date with – or enter – her house raffle.