# House competition to benefit charity

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/11/06/house-competition-benefit-charity/
- Published: 2008-11-06T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/Lego_bricks_1225902826.jpg)

The Ulster Cancer Foundation will benefit from a Northern Ireland man’s unusual 
attempt to sell his house. Alan Cooke is entering his house in a competition in 
which the winner can win the house worth £600,000, Alan will sell his house and 
the charity stands to make £300,000.

“We recently decided we would like to sell our house – but were concerned that we
wouldn’t be able to, given the recent ‘cooling’ in the NI housing market. So that’s
why we came up with the idea of a competition. If it works – we’ll be able to sell
the house but also raise a lot of money for the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and
with a bit of luck – a first time buyer will also get a new beautiful home,” said
homeowner Alan Cooke.

The competition is literally kid’s play. To win the house all people have to do 
is go on the internet (www.comberhouse.com) and try calculate how many lego bricks
are in the illustration provided. In the words of that endangered species, the estate
agent, ‘the house is situated within close proximity of the bustling town of Comber
and just 9 miles from Belfast this superb rectory style home built just over 4 yrs
ago, enjoys an attractive mature setting in what is undoubtedly the areas most prestigious
address.’

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The cost of entering the competition is £35. Several house raffles with a charitable
angle have fallen foul of lottery legislation but Alan Cooke believes this event
differs because it is a competition.

Joyce Savage, Head of Appeals & Marketing, UCF said, “We are delighted that Alan
has nominated the Ulster Cancer Foundation as a beneficiary from his house sale.
Every year we need to raise almost £4m in order to continue our vital work for cancer
patients and their families. All funds raised for UCF are spent locally providing
information, care and support services for the 55,000 people affected by cancer 
in Northern Ireland.”

The competition will run from today until 10 January 2009 and the winner will be
announced on 17 January 2009.

www.comberhouse.com

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