A Samaritans volunteer was left speechless when he learnt he had won a painting by renowned Suffolk painter Maggi Hambling.

Last week, ‘Storm Approaching’ was raffled off at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.

People from all over the country purchased tickets in the hopes of winning the artwork, including as far away as Inverness and Cornwall.

In total, an incredible £14,000 was raised for the Ipswich branch of the Samaritans.

The winning ticket was purchased by Christian, a Samaritans volunteer from Stratford-upon-Avon.

The work was presented to Christian and his wife, Sam, at a ceremony in Aldeburgh over the weekend, beside Hambling’s iconic four-metre-high Scallop sculpture.

Christian said that he and his wife, Sam, are huge Maggi Hambling fans.Christian said that he and his wife, Sam, are huge Maggi Hambling fans. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans) Christian receiving the painting from Colin Stuart, longstanding Samaritan volunteer and Head of Fundraising for the Ipswich Branch.Christian receiving the painting from Colin Stuart, longstanding Samaritan volunteer and head of fundraising for the Ipswich Branch. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans) Christian and Sam are still considering where they might hang this prized artwork. Christian and Sam are still considering where they might hang this prized artwork. (Image: Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans)

“I was speechless when I got the call – my wife was excitedly squealing in the background!” said Christian. “We are completely thrilled.

“We’re both fans of Maggi Hambling. I don’t normally go in for raffles, but when I saw what the prize was, I thought, I have to secure a couple of tickets.

“The fact that Maggi Hambling has made such a generous donation is amazing, and it was amazing to see how much money the local branch was able to raise. It was an astounding success.”