Definitions
Throughout these terms and conditions, the following references/meanings apply.
- Terms and conditions – ‘T&Cs’
- Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust Charity – Acorns Children’s Hospice.
- Acorns Children’s Hospice – ‘The Charity’
- Acorns Children’s Hospice – ‘we/our/us’
- Raffle player/participant – ‘you/your’
- Acorns Children’s Hospice Charity website – ‘www.acorns.org.uk’
- Our website – ‘www.acorns.org.uk/raffles’
- Lottery, Lotteries, raffle(s), and draw(s) are all interchangeable words that have the same meaning under the Gambling Act in that they are: “An arrangement by which persons are required to pay in order to participate in the arrangement, in the course of the arrangement one or more prizes are allocated to one or more members of a class, and the prizes are allocated by a process which relies wholly on chance.”
- Raffle ticket, One-off payments – ‘Single tickets/one-off play(s)’
- Ticket – physical or virtual unique numbered, with details of the draw, including price of entry, date, charity details, promoter, Gambling license details, and may show prizes.
- Ticket number, Entry/Game number – unique number allocated to a single participant.
- Multiple entries – more than one unique number allocated to a single participant.
Introduction
Acorns operate raffles that may operate infrequently.
- Seasonal spring, summer, autumn, and Winter Raffle(s).
- Annual.
- Bi-annual.
- Ad-hoc, raffle(s).
A raffle is a name given to of form of gambling, in law raffles operate in the same way as lotteries and are often called lottery draws.
Our raffles are open to individuals aged 18 years or over, who are resident of mainland Great Britain (note this excludes the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland).
To participate, you agree to the Terms and Conditions for the relevant game(s). We reserve the right to amend these from time to time. Changes to our Terms and Conditions will be submitted to the Gambling Commission, twenty-eight (28) days’ notice prior to implementation. Fourteen (14) days before any change takes effect, the updated Terms and Conditions will be available to view on our website, available at point-of-sale, from our Supporter Services supporter.services@acorns.org.uk, by phone 01564 825037 and notifications will be emailed to all participants that have provided their email address to Acorns Children’s Hospice, alternatively we notify participants by post. We do not notify players by telephone of any changes.
Abbreviated Terms and Conditions will be available to all participants at the time of purchasing the raffle tickets, and where possible, on the reverse of raffle tickets. Full Terms and Conditions are available on our website or by calling the Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The terms and conditions for our raffles are clear and transparent and form an agreement between the participant and Acorns Children’s Hospice. Participation in an Acorns Children’s Hospice raffle is acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Full terms & conditions – Acorns Children’s Hospice Charity Raffles
How is the raffle draw held?
Participants aged 18 years or over, who are resident of mainland Great Britain (note this excludes the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland), pay in advance of the draw for a unique number (an entry), each entry has an equal chance of winning a prize. Tickets stubs must clearly show the participants details. Minimum of their name and contact number, preferably with the full mailing address. The person named on the ticket stub is the individual entered into the draw.
Our raffle draws are conducted in-house, by placing each individual entry stub into a large container, then randomly selecting entries manually, individually in turn. (Top prize/Jackpot winner first) in the company of at least one witness.
Entering to play our raffle draw(s)
- Speak to one of our charity representatives.
- Visit one of our Acorns Charity Shops or phone the office on 01564 825037.
- Complete a raffle ticket and submitting the stub with payment to our charity shops, one of the hospices or head office.
- Online at www.acorns.org.uk/raffles
- Respond to a mailing pack invitation to the specified return address.
- At selected outlets/locations where the raffle is being promoted.
Participants should retain their raffle ticket(s) in case of queries. Once ticket stub(s) and correct payment(s) are received and processed at the Acorns Head Office, the participant’s number(s)/entries will be included in the raffle draw.
Participants purchasing entries via our website, will be emailed their number(s) before the draw takes place and their number(s) will be entered into the raffle draw.
Cost of entry
The raffle tickets, our website, and promotional materials clearly state the entry cost. In all cases the entry fee is payable in full, in-advance of the draw entry deadline.
Tickets are sold on face value, no reductions/discounts for multiple purchases. Each purchased entry/ticket has an equal chance at winning a prize. For example, the chance of winning a prize if there is (1) prize, you have a (1) entry and there are (2,000) entries total in the draw are: 1:2,000 Chance of winning a prize.
Multiple entries and responsible gambling limits
Acorns Children’s Hospice takes all reasonable steps to prevent problem gambling and remain compliant with the Gambling laws. As our duty of care to you, the maximum number of entries per player, per draw, is limited to 250. If you wish to buy more than 250 entries, please contact us prior to your application. Any requests to play over these limits is at the discretion of the Promoter(s) and will be subject to a customer interaction.
Draw date(s)
Each raffle will have its draw date published on the ticket and on our website. Where practical it will show on associated promotional materials. Where more than one draw operates, each draw will be distinct from another (not linked) and will be promoted as such. In all cases we reserve the right, due to holidays and unforeseen circumstances, to change the draw date without notice. If a draw is delayed it will take place as soon as is possible to do so, and if multiple draws are delayed, draws will be run in order.
Closing date(s)
The draw closing date for an individual draw will be clearly shown on the raffle ticket, on our website and where practical at point-of-sale. Tickets with their payments received after the draw closing date will be taken as a donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice. We accept no liability for missed raffle draws. No refunds are offered or given.
We reserve the right to defer the draw date if unforeseen circumstances (an occurrence), beyond our reasonable control prevents the draw taking place on the advertised date. In these circumstances the draw will be held as soon as it is possible to do so, and (unless an occurrence was before the closing date) no tickets sold after the promoted closing date will be entered in the draw. Any changes to the closing date(s) and draw date(s) will be communicated on our website.
Raffle draw administration – change of personal details
It is your responsibility to advise us if you change your name or address between buying a ticket and the draw date. This is important as we will issue prizes to the name and address provided. Proof of identity may be required for a change of name.
Early Bird Entry
From time-to-time we may offer a free to enter ‘early bird entry’ draw. Full details will be shown within the relevant raffle packs/promotions. Respondents’ entries, received by us at the Head Office on or before the Early Bird closing date, will be entered into an early bird draw. The winning ticket(s) will be drawn randomly in the company of at least one witness. There is no need to claim your prize – We will contact you. The winning ticket number(s) will be posted on our Raffle web page. An early bird draw is not connected to or influences the entries and participation within a paid to enter raffle.
Prizes
Prizes for raffle draw(s) are publicised on our website and where practical on our point-of-sale materials and displays, and the top prize(s) specified on the face of each raffle ticket. The prize structure is subject to change for each raffle promoted. We reserve the right to amend the prize structure for future raffles.
Checking winning numbers
A list of the winning numbers will be available from our Acorns Children’s Hospice Shops/ticket sales outlets, on our website www.acorns.org.uk or by calling our office on 01564 825037. We reserve the right to publish the top winning numbers and town of residence on the winners’ lists and within local/national press. A winner’s name will not be publicised unless the individual has given permission.
Prize claims
Winners are notified, and no claim is usually necessary – prizes will issued automatically and paid to the participant’s own bank account by BACs, we do not pay cash (see specific raffle draw(s) for list of prizes). An Acorns Children’s Hospice representative will contact the winner(s) to obtain the required information to enable a BACS transfer.
Where there is a choice between cash or non-cash equivalent prize (E.g., car/holiday/or experience day), the winner will be contacted to determine their preference. If no contact can be made within 14 days of the draw, the cash prize will be issued. Where a non-cash prize is chosen, a cash difference will not be paid if the value of the prize is lower than the alternative cash prize.
Where any information on the ticket stub is missing or incorrect and the winner cannot be contacted, the winning prize will be held, and the number(s) published on our website winner’s list page. A prize claim(s) must be made to the Promoters of Acorns Children’s Hospice raffle at the Head Office within 90 days of the draw to be valid. The claimant must present on request, the winning raffle ticket, with the corresponding number. If no claim is received within the specified time and no ticket as proof of winning can be presented to/inspected by the raffle Promoter(s), the claim will be deemed invalid and unclaimed, and the prize passed as a donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice.
In all cases – only original ticket(s) that are undamaged and not defaced will be accepted, no prizes will be paid against lost tickets including those lost in the post. We recommend that all raffle winning ticket claims are made in person.
Prizes are paid within fourteen (14) working days of the draw taking place. Prizes may occasionally be delayed due to authoriser/signatory absence or other circumstances out of our control. Any expired prizes will be taken as a donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Identification of our representatives
All our representatives have identification cards which should be clearly visible. The identity card has their photograph, name, job title, charity logo and on the reverse the contact number of Acorns Children’s Hospice Office.
If you are unsure of a caller’s identity, do not give out any personal details or payment. Genuine charity representatives are happy for you to check out their credentials by contacting our Office 01564 825037, during normal office hours (Monday-Friday, 09:00hrs-17:00hrs).
If you believe someone is fraudulently using our charity name to obtain your personal details, or you have been visited by someone you suspect is a bogus caller please contact your local Police immediately, or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, and advise us as soon as possible on 01564 825037.
Payment errors
Should any errors be found when processing payments from card providers, cheque processing or cash, as soon as is possible on finding an error, Acorns Children’s Hospice will inform the relevant participant(s). Acorns Children’s Hospice does not accept liability for consequential loss or missed raffle draws due to a payment error(s) by third party payment providers or processors.
Unidentified payments
Any payments received that are not linked to a known participant, will be held pending investigation, and not entered a draw(s), then on completion of investigation either, appropriately allocated to the participant, refunded if in error, or if the participant is not known, taken as a direct donation to the charity.
Overpayments as donations
Where a participant agrees to make an over payment, above the cost of the raffle entries, that overpayment amount will be taken as a direct donation to Acorns Children’s Hospice. Donations do not appear as a credit against a participant’s raffle entry and are not refundable. If eligible, participants may wish to Gift Aid their donations which with no extra cost to the participants, this enables Acorns Children’s Hospice to claim an amount of tax back from HMRC.
Low credit balance
Where a payment for raffle ticket that is below the entry fee, the ticket will not be entered into the draw, as the full price must be paid in advance of a draw for a ticket to be entered into a raffle draw. We will contact you to seek advice on what you wish to do.
Payment security
Online debit card payments take place via a secure third-party payment site and no card details are transferred to us. We do not store any payment card details. If you telephone us to pay by debit card or send your debit card details to us through the post, all details are securely shredded and destroyed as soon as your payment has been processed.
Disclosure to participants
There is no segregation of funds held by Acorns Children’s Hospice, and customer funds are not protected in the event of insolvency.
Staff participation
Key employees involved in raffle processes are not permitted to enter the raffle(s).
- CEO and Directors of Acorns Children’s Hospice Charity or Trading.
- Individual Giving team
- Supporter Services team
All other staff and volunteers of Acorns Children’s Hospice Charity and Acorns Children’s Hospice Trading are permitted to participate in the raffle draw(s), as this generates additional funds for the charity, and individuals have no control or influence over the raffle draw(s) results.
Data protection
We value the support we receive from our community and take the protection of personal data seriously. Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust Charity, and Acorns Children’s Hospice Trading Limited, will hold and use your data for administrative purposes in accordance with your consent. We will never pass your information to any organisation outside the charity who is not directly working on our behalf of Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust Charity and our subsidiaries, and we will keep your details safe and secure. For security purposes you may be asked to confirm your personal information before we discuss your raffle details. We cannot accept liability for third party loss, delay or theft of any communication sent by post or email, nor for any delays in the banking systems which are beyond our control. For the full detail of our data policy and notices please visit www.acorns.org.uk/information-promise
Keeping-in-touch
As a valued Acorns supporter, we will occasionally send you information about our work, events, and activities by post, unless you tell us otherwise. We will only communicate with you by email, text message (SMS), and telephone if you have positively indicated you are happy to hear from us in these ways. We may still have to contact you based on our legitimate interest to do so, for example to notify of a change in terms and conditions or compliance checks, payment or entry query, or the award of a prize.
You can change your communication preferences at any time by contacting us to let us know or online at www.acorns.org.uk.
Our full privacy policy is available at www.acorns.org.uk or by calling 01564 825037.
Regulation
We are licensed by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005 under account number 66152. Responsible Persons: Trevor Johnson, Sarah Lorking and Richard Simmonite.
The Gambling Commission
www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
T: 0121 230 6666
We are a member of:
The Lotteries Council
www.lotteriescouncil.org.uk
The Lotteries Council is a cross sector association for any organisation with an interest in society lotteries and works closely with the Gambling Commission.
Responsible Gambling
Acorns Children’s Hospice promotes responsible gambling. Under the Gambling Act 2005, we have a duty to ensure gambling is free of crime and protect children and the vulnerable from gambling.
It is an offence for anyone under the age of 16 years to participate in a raffle/lottery. To protect young people and show our commitment to responsible gambling, you must be aged 18 or over to participate in any of our raffle/lottery games. Where we think that a person may be under 18, we may ask for proof of age.
The Lotteries Council, on behalf of its members, makes a financial contribution to GambleAware, which is a charity “committed to minimising gambling-related harm.” GambleAware funds education, prevention and treatment services and commissions research to broaden understanding of gambling-related harm. The aim is to stop people getting into problems with their gambling and ensure those that do receive fast and effective treatment and support.
For support and further advice:
BeGambleAware
www.begambleaware.org
T: 0808 8020 133
GAMCARE
www.gamcare.org.uk
Self-Exclusion
Anyone concerned about their gambling can take positive action to be self-excluded from all our raffle activities at any time. If an individual is self-excluded, we place their details on an exclusion database, a full refund of any remaining gambling credit will occur, and they will not be able to take part in any of our raffle(s) for a minimum of 6-months up to 5-years. After the self-exclusion period and an additional 6-months, the self-exclusion will be removed unless we are advised otherwise by the individual concerned. For further information on the full procedure, please request a copy of our Social Responsibility in Gambling policy or talk in confidence to an Acorns Gambling Responsible Person.
Concerns and complaints
If you have a concern or complaint, please contact us as soon as possible. Complaints will be managed in accordance with our Acorns Children’s Hospice Charity complaints policy, which is available on the Acorns Children’s Hospice website. In the event of a gambling complaint or dispute not being resolved through our complaint’s procedure, it can be referred to arbitration at no cost to the complainant. As we are a member of The Lotteries Council, this will be referred to The Independent Betting Adjudication Service Limited (IBAS).
www.ibas-uk.com
T: 020 7347 5883
Head office/Registered Office and Company Information
Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust Charity, Drakes Court, Alcester Road, Wythall, Birmingham, B47 6JR.
Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (Reg No. 700859) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02036103). Acorns Children’s Hospice Trading Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales (Company No. 02642603).
Contact Us
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs (Public holidays, closed).
T: 01564 825037
www.acorns.org.uk
