A COUPLE whose car was nearly as old as they were have taken delivery of a brand-new set of wheels thanks to a charity competition.

John and Sarah Bardell, of Somerville Road, Tolladine, Worcester, said they were in total shock after learning that their ticket was picked from thousands of entries to win a Kia Sportage in the annual St Richard’s Hospice, Worcester, raffle.

They picked up their new car from Edwards Motors in Kempsey, near Worcester, yesterday and the timing of the win could not have been better for the pair, who are also street pastors in Worcester.

With their 19-year-old Rover 214 on its last legs, they were in need of a more reliable car as Mr Bardell, a 24-year-old electrical engineer, has just started a new job involving lots of travelling.

As accountant Mrs Bardell, 26, has recently been made redundant, buying a new car was proving difficult.

Mr Bardell said they believed that the new car was a gift from God.

“Neither my wife nor I have ever bought a new car and this is the biggest, most expensive thing that we have ever won. We were both in just total shock.

“We feel truly blessed that we have won the car. The timing has been amazing for us.

“With my wife having been made redundant it would have made it much harder to buy a new car, so this win has really come at the perfect time.”

With their car troubles in mind, the winning ticket was bought for the couple by Mrs Bardell’s parents in the hospice’s shop in Lowesmoor, Worcester.

Mrs Bardell said: “We’re pretty excited about getting our new car. We’re both a bit scared of driving it because it’s so much bigger than our last one.

“St Richard’s is such a worthwhile cause and that is the reason my parents bought the ticket.

“You don’t expect to win, but you don’t mind because it’s for such a good charity.”

The raffle has raised about £46,000 for the hospice’s funds. It was supported by Edwards Motors and sponsored by Halls Estate Agents, Worcester; Worcester Racecourse and the Bank House Hotel and Golf Club, Bransford, near Worcester.

St Richard’s fund-raiser Lizzie Brazier said: “We are delighted that John and Sarah are the winners and it is even more fitting that the winning ticket was bought in one of our hospice shops. We hope they have many happy years of driving ahead.”