A DEDICATED hospice volunteer is in the driving seat after her son won a shiny Suzuki Swift worth £9,500 in the charity’s draw.

Big-hearted Sam Taylor was delighted to win the brand new car – kindly donated by Pearson Suzuki Wemyss Bay and raffled at Tesco in Port Glasgow – then promptly handed over the keys to his mum Elizabeth.

Sam, 46, who works at Carpetrite in Greenock, didn’t think he would win but when he did, his mother came first.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted, over the moon.

“I knew my mum would want the car, as her’s is about 10 years old, so I thought, ‘why not give it to her’?”

Elizabeth, 69, says she is delighted she’ll soon be able to travel to work in style.

She said: “I turn 70 next month, so it’s a nice birthday present.

“I’m looking forward to driving it.”

Elizabeth added: “I’ve been a volunteer at the hospice for nine years. My brother passed away at the hospice and a couple of my friends were cared for there.

“I worked as a cook at Inverclyde Royal for 32 years and I wanted to give something back to the community.

“I enjoy my time at the hospice – I enjoy the company.”

The draw was run by Tesco in Port Glasgow, and over the last 18 months the supermarket has raised a staggering £38,778 for the hospice.

Store manager Russell Houston, inset, said: “£31,000 was raised from two car raffles and £7,500 from cake sales in the filling station. It’s a phenomenal amount, absolutely tremendous.

“We are happy to continue to support the hospice.

“We have lost colleagues and have others who are being cared for by the hospice.

“There is a personal connection for everyone.”

Pearson sales manager Kenny Hyde, pictured below right, said the company was honoured to be able to help Ardgowan.

He told the Tele: “We actively support the charity and we provide the van they use.

“It’s such a good local charity, and I have personal experience of the good work the hospice does.”