Susanne Nickalls has been on a rollercoaster of emotions over the past two weeks.

The dedicated Comfort Kitchen volunteer and Hervey Bay local was thrilled to learn she was the winner of a brand new MG3 car.

Hers was the winning ticket randomly drawn* in a fundraising raffle run by the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, in partnership with the Red Tape Shredders.

Making the win even more significant, Susanne became the proud new owner of this car just a week after her mother passed away.

“When I heard I had won, I looked up and said ‘thanks, Mum!’,” Susanne said.

“It really has been a week of highs and lows.”

Susanne said the win was made even better by the fact her car was written off in an accident last year. She and her husband Bill have been sharing a car since then.

“We couldn’t sleep the night we heard we had won. I saw the announcement on Facebook the next morning and said, ‘it is true!’,” Susanne said.

HBNC CEO, Tanya Stevenson, said it was wonderful to see the car go to such a deserving person.

“We were thrilled to raise about $25,000 through this raffle, which will go towards projects aimed at giving dignity to local families experiencing homelessness, including the Sunshine Van,” Tanya said.

“Knowing the car has gone to someone like Susanne, who gives her time to help feed families in need at our weekly Comfort Kitchen community meal, makes it even better.”

Greg Lagstrom (Red Tape Shredders), Susanne Nickalls, Tanya Stevenson (HBNC CEO) and Josh Wilson (Wide Bay Motor Group) with Susanne's new car.

Josh Wilson from Wide Bay Motor Group said the company was proud to support such a worthy cause.

“We’re glad we could support the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and it’s great to know someone like Susanne has won the car,” Josh said.

Greg Lagstrom, Vice President of the Red Tape Shredders, said the group was glad to see the prize go to such a worthy participant.

“It’s great to see the car go to someone who has donated so much of her time,” Greg said.

Susanne’s prize also includes a vinyl wrap or decal, donated by Wolfpack Print, up to $1500 in value.

To find out more about the Red Tape Shredders, including their plans for the Sunshine Van, find them on Facebook.

*The raffle was randomly drawn using Rafflelink’s online software.