AN inspirational woman who has raised £3,000 for charity in memory of her friend was left speechless after being gifted a special holiday from legendary TV duo Ant and Dec.
Lisa Wakely, from Colchester, was nominated by her husband Luke to receive a “takeaway getaway” on the Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which returned for its 20th series last month.
The 41-year-old has been fundraising for years for Bowel Cancer UK in memory of her friend Stevie Gill, who passed away in 2018.
Lisa said: “Stevie was my best friend.
“She discovered she had bowel cancer in 2012 but did not let it get to her, she carried on acting and was such an inspiration.
“I decided I would start doing things for charity for her and carried on after she died, in her memory and to help others in similar situations.
“I have done a superhero run dressed as Wonder Woman, a skydive, abseil, and am doing a wing walk this year.”
After raising about £3,000 in total, husband Luke nominated Lisa for an all-inclusive and paid-for “takeaway getaway”, which Ant and Dec have been gifting special people on the hit ITV show.
The couple was a part of the audience on the first episode of the new series on February 24.
Despite being unsure if they had won until the day, they were stunned to find out they were in an audience of 411 “unsung heroes”, who were told they all won a holiday.
Ant and Dec super fan Lisa said: “The whole thing was a lovely experience.
“We saw Stephen Mulhern rehearsing outside with Ant and Dec and it was special to see the studio in person.
“It was during the happiest minute of the week segment they told us we all won.
“The atmosphere in the audience was shock and excitement, everyone couldn’t believe it.”
Following the show, Lisa decided on a Caribbean cruise.
Now the couple are looking forward to their specially gifted holiday.
“We thought we would never get this opportunity again and I have never been to the Caribbean,” said Lisa.
“We go next January and it is all-inclusive.
“Being at the show in person was an amazing experience alone but we didn’t expect the holiday.
“And we are so grateful for Ant and Dec for recognising everyone’s efforts.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here