The Nukutere College monster raffle fundraiser recorded a net profit of $122,550, thanks to the support from dedicated parents, family and friends, the business community, tapere, and Catholic parishes across the Cook Islands and in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The raffle was drawn on Friday after the school’s mini-gala event, which sold a variety of delicious plates of food, raising $13,634.

Combining the mini gala sales and the raffle, overall, the school raised $136,184 for its Inclusive Education Centre.

The monster raffle fundraiser had the first prize of $25,000.

Still reeling from winning the first prize of $25,000, Nora Lazaro couldn’t bring herself to collect the cheque. She sent along her husband Francis Tamangaro instead.

“I feel blessed and happy with the win,” said Lazaro.

Lazaro had purchased one ticket from the Matavera Sacred Heart Parish and the other from the Ruatonga Meeting House.

Eddie Drollet, chairman of the Nukutere College Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), said: “We were very pleased with that outcome, we all worked hard and we had a really good team.”

“Everyone I called to let them know they had won were emotional.”

On Wednesday, Drollet and deputy principal, Valarina Aue personally handed out the top five winning prizes to the winners.

For the two winners in Aitutaki and the two in Mangaia, their prizes will be deposited into their bank accounts.

The funds will be used to reimburse the school committee for the funds they used to complete the Inclusive Education Centre.

Drollet said they used their savings to build the centre since it needed to get done.

The committee is also grateful for the sponsorship of $30,000 from the Tuakata Vainetini to complete the centre.

Extra work on the drainage system also needs to be done as the area is prone to flooding.

“Thank you for your wonderful support, kia akameitaki mai te Atua ia kotou katoatoa, God bless,” said Drollet.