Two winners of an Alexandra and Districts Parents Centre fundraising raffle scooped up $500 worth of groceries in a mad two-minute grocery grab yesterday. 

Mum-to-be Courtney Mudgway nominated her partner Alain to take the trolley around because she’s due to have their first child in mid-July. 

The other winner was Paul Anderson, who sent his son Joe Mugford to collect his family's winnings as he couldn't attend.

Car seat coordinator Courtney Winstanley, winner Paul’s son Joe and APC president Nicola Rae. PHOTO: The Central App

APC committee members thanked Helen and Shane Ryan from Alexandra New World for supporting the grocery grab and APC. 

Helen scanned the items after the two-minute dash. PHOTO: The Central App

Courtney had briefed Alain to get meat including roasts and steak. PHOTO: The Central App

The store was open during the grocery grab and other shoppers were informed to stay aware of the action and give the runners plenty of room. 

Watch Alain’s sprint through the store, firmly focused on the butchery section. VIDEO: The Central App

Alain said he couldn’t steer due to his pace, and that the time constraint made him feel panicked. 

His trolley was jammed with sausages, chicken, pork roasts, steak and a last second grab of orange juice.

Watch Joe’s turn, where he gets Kiwi favourites tomato sauce, milk and cheese. VIDEO: The Central App

Joe said the two minutes weirdly felt a bit longer.

“I didn’t want to stay in one spot too long.”

He spent time in the butchery and the dairy section, stocking up on whole chickens, eye fillet, bacon, 1kg cheese blocks, milk, tomato and burger sauce. He was the only one to get fresh vegetables, he nabbed a lettuce at the start of his run. His last-minute find was some chocolate, taking him to the $500 figure.

There were some exclusions and winners could not put cigarettes, alcohol, Lotto or gift vouchers in their trolley.

The APC raffle proceeds have gone towards four new car seats for the car seat hire service.

As the cost of living continues to put pressure on household budgets the winners said they were grateful for the prize and chance to stock up for the winter months.

Statistics New Zealand’s selected price indexes (released March 13) showed grocery food had a 3.9 per cent increase in cost in February 2024 than February last year.  

Learn more about APC here.