A devoted mother from Lancashire is taking the drastic step of raffling her family home in a final bid to raise £350,000 for potentially life-saving cancer treatment abroad.
A Race Against Time for Treatment
Claire Nutter, a 48-year-old former beauty therapist from Roughlee, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in 2023. After major surgery and chemotherapy failed to stop the growth, she and her partner, Gary, are now pinning their hopes on a personalised cancer vaccine available at the IOZK clinic in Germany.
Claire explained the grim reality of her diagnosis: "There's no cure for my type of tumour – it continually grows." The tumour's location in a sensitive area has already robbed her of her concentration and eyesight, forcing her to stop work immediately.
The Extraordinary Raffle for a Lifeline
With the staggering cost of the overseas procedure beyond reach, the family has made the heart-wrenching decision to put their £800,000 property up as a raffle prize. "This raffle isn't about wanting a bigger house or a different life; it's about buying time," Claire stated emotionally.
The local community has already shown immense support, raising an incredible £45,000 through charity auctions and football matches. However, the family needs to sell 250,000 tickets at £5 each to reach their target and award the stunning home to one lucky winner.
How the Draw Works
The raffle is being hosted on the independently verified platform, Raffall, and is scheduled to run for six months. If the ticket threshold is met, the winner will receive the home or a cash alternative of £500,000.
Claire remains optimistic, noting that the goal could be achieved if just 62,500 people spent £20 each. "When you break it down, it suddenly feels achievable," she said.
If the total is not reached, the winner will receive 50% of the funds raised, with the remainder going directly to Claire's medical fund. Every single entry brings her a step closer to the specialist immunotherapy, which uses her own tumour cells to train her body to fight the cancer.
A Mother's Fight for Her Family
Throughout her ordeal, Claire's focus remains firmly on her two sons, Louie, 21, and Ray, 16. Her fight is fuelled by the desire for more precious moments with them. "It's about time to watch my boys grow, time with my family, and time to keep fighting," she shared.
The family's journey has been fraught with difficulty, including life-threatening complications after her initial symptoms were repeatedly misdiagnosed. Now, this raffle represents their last, best hope for a future together.
