For one man from Peel Christmas 2011 arrived early…and on four wheels. Steve Williamson of Marine Parade, Peel, became the proud owner of a new Italian supermini after winning Age Concern Isle of Man’s prize draw for an Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 16v Junior in association with the Corkills Motor Group. For St Christopher’s residential care worker Mr Williamson, 50, a part-time driver for the Lieutenant Governor and an Institute of Advanced Motorists member, his new car cost him just ?5, the price of a ticket for the draw which he bought in the Strand shopping centre in Douglas and from where he drove away his prize. Mr Williamson said: ‘It’s the best ?5 I’ve ever spent. To receive the call telling me I’d won was a fantastic early Christmas present – a call that happened to come only half an hour after I’d started looking for a car to replace my elderly Renault Scenic.’ The winning ticket was drawn by the patron of Age Concern Isle of Man, the Bishop of Sodor of Man, the Rt Rev Robert Paterson, at the charity’s AGM. Corkills Motor Group managing director Adrian Kermode said: ‘Having enjoyed a long and successful association with the Isle of Man, both in the motor trade and motor sport, I was delighted to offer the group’s support. Age Concern Isle of Man is a good fit with our business in that we are both client focused and take our community responsibilities very seriously. On a lighter note, though, the Alfa Romeo MiTo is a sensationally stylish supermini and I congratulate Steve on his win. Age Concern Isle of Man puts the “fun” into fundraising. Alfa Romeo puts the fun into motoring.’ Chief executive George Quayle said: ‘We’re very grateful to everyone who supported us through ticket sales – in particular John Shakespeare and his team at the Strand shopping centre – and to Adrian Kermode of the Corkills Motor Group who kindly loaned us a demonstrator model during the summer to help promote the draw. This has been one of our more ambitious initiatives that have helped raise funds which will stay in the Island and benefit older people. In these difficult economic times when household budgets are being stretched the public’s response has been extremely generous. I wish Steve happy motoring and I think it’s fair to say that Age Concern Isle of Man rounded off its 2011 fundraising programme in truly “high-octane” style.’ ENDS