The raffle was drawn on Friday and the cheque from ticket sales presented to Veritas House CEO Jodie Pearce. 

The winners of the four prizes were also notified.

Youth mayor Sarah Driver said the idea behind the raffle was for the Youth Council to have a project over Christmas that would help young people. 

Veritas House, an organisation that helps young people struggling with homelessness, was suggested as the beneficiary. 

“They are the youth of Bathurst and they deserve to have a good Christmas as well,” Ms Driver said. 

The prizes in the raffle were a signed Penrith Panthers jersey, a necklace donated by WJ Coote, a matching kettle and toaster from Harvey Norman and a hamper with vouchers to spend at local businesses. 

Ms Pearce said the amount raised was completely unexpected, but it will be used to support struggling young people in Bathurst over Christmas by giving them gifts and taking them on excursions.

“I think we will target it towards young people who are in the refuges around Bathurst,” she said. 

“Some of the kids in these refuges can’t go home over Christmas, so we try to make it as special for them as we can.”

Ms Pearce said Veritas House was very thankful to the Youth Council and the wider community for choosing to support it with the raffle. 

“The community certainly got behind us and the Youth Council,” she said.

“It is a really special initiative that recognises young people in Bathurst and was done by young people.” 

Ms Driver extended her thanks to the community for its support and to the businesses that donated prizes for the raffle.

“We’re really thankful. We really appreciate how they’ve pitched in to help out,” she said.