THE moment a lucky lottery winner was handed the keys to her top prize ultimately proved too much for a North-East mother-of-three.

Kath Mewse, 69, could not believe she had finally struck it lucky in this year’s Great North Air Ambulance Service’s (GNAAS) annual car raffle after entering the draw for several years.

The department store worker from Eston, Middlesbrough, broke down in tears as a brand new Kia Rio was uncovered by charity representatives in a Jennings Motor Group showroom.

The shock win had taken Mrs Mewse by surprise earlier this week when GNAAS called the long-term charity supporter to tell her the good news.

Mrs Mewse said: “My knees went to jelly. I just couldn’t believe it. To tell you the truth, I still can’t.

“I phoned the kids. My daughter, who has just bought a car, said, ‘I wish I’d have known’. Everyone’s delighted for us, it’s been brilliant.

“I entered because I like to support local causes, not because I expected to win.”

The GNAAS revealed that this year’s annual car raffle has raised more than £120,000 for the air ambulance that operates across the North-East and North Yorkshire every day of the year.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “Mrs Mewse is a long-term supporter of the charity, so we are especially pleased that her support has been rewarded in this way.

“She was one of many thousands who entered the draw, and we would just like to thank all of them for playing, because ultimately, the money raised will save lives in the region.

“Huge thanks to all at Jennings as well for their support. This wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Mrs Mewse, who works at Debenhams, in Middlesbrough, added that the GNAAS lottery win had come during the same week as winning a keg of beer and £50 in separate competitions – despite never claiming prizes in raffles before.

The raffled Kia Rio was donated by Jennings Motor Group after the firm pledged to support GNAAS throughout 2016.

Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, said: “The promotion has been a phenomenal success and raised an incredible amount for an extremely worthy cause.

“On behalf of Jennings Motor Group, I would like to wish Mr and Mrs Mewse many years of happy motoring in their new Kia car.”