An original piece of art by a renowned Suffolk artist was raffled off to a lucky winner and raised thousands in the process for the Ipswich Samaritans.

On Monday night, Christchurch Mansion was buzzing with activity as excited visitors waited to hear whether they were in possession of the winning ticket.

It was revealed in June that the famed Sudbury-born artist Maggi Hambling had donated an oil painting entitled ‘Storm Approaching’ to be raffled off to raise funds for the Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans.

The artwork is one of a series of North Sea paintings by Hambling, who is best known in Suffolk for her four-metre high Scallop sculpture on Aldeburgh beach.

Renowned artist Maggi Hambling is perhaps best known for her Scallop sculpture on Aldeburgh beach.Renowned artist Maggi Hambling is perhaps best known for her Scallop sculpture on Aldeburgh beach. (Image: Newsquest) The donated painting, 'Storm Approaching,' by Maggi Hambling.The donated painting, 'Storm Approaching,' by Maggi Hambling. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans)

Hambling decided to support the raffle after speaking with Colin Stuart, who owns Titlows Newsagents in Leiston High Street.

Mr Stuart is a longstanding Samaritan volunteer and currently head of fundraising for the Ipswich Branch.

Mr Stuart has been running the raffle from his home and the shop – and has been delighted to raise £14,000 for the branch in the process.

Encouraged by the chance to win such a prize, people from all over the country have been buying tickets, including as far away as Inverness and Cornwall.

Crowds gather in Christchurch Mansion, eager to hear who has won the prized painting. Crowds gather in Christchurch Mansion, eager to hear who has won the prized painting. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans) The winning ticket was revealed by David Sheepshanks, former chairman of Ipswich Town and patron of Ipswich Samaritans. The winning ticket was revealed by David Sheepshanks, former chairman of Ipswich Town and patron of Ipswich Samaritans. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans) The lucky winner received a phone call from Colin Stuart, longstanding Samaritan volunteer and Head of Fundraising for the Ipswich Branch. The lucky winner received a phone call from Colin Stuart, longstanding Samaritan volunteer and Head of Fundraising for the Ipswich Branch. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans)

Crowds waited with baited breath as the winning ticket was read out by David Sheepshanks CBE DL, former chairman of Ipswich Town and patron of Ipswich Samaritans.

The winner is a Samaritan volunteer at the Stratford-upon-Avon and District branch, who will receive the painting at a presentation ceremony on a date to be arranged.

Hambling said that she is pleased to have been able to support the Samaritans in Ipswich and east Suffolk.

“These people are saints,” she said. “They provide the compassionate answers in crisis.”