Overview
Carrie-Anne Ridsdale (Carrie), who presents publicly as Jayne Price repeatedly claims to run legal raffles with licences, but official records show no active licence and Carrie admits the licence lapsed. Most raffles are free, but paid raffles continue without proper authorisation.
Carrie, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale, publicly known as Jayne Price, has consistently promoted raffles as part of her fundraising activities for Jayne's Baby Bank and related operations. Early mentions from late 2022 through 2023 describe both free and paid raffles, including specific prizes such as bottles of vodka and toys. Carrie frequently asserted that these raffles were conducted legally, claiming to hold or be renewing a raffle licence with the local council. For example, in mid-2023, she stated they held a gambling licence and were authorised to fundraise, and in August 2025 reiterated that raffles were run "all above board" with licence renewal pending.
Despite these claims, official records and council FOI responses contradict Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's assertions. The Small Society Lottery registration tied to the Aberbargoed premises lapsed and was never renewed after eviction in late 2023. Caerphilly County Borough Council confirmed no active raffle or lottery licence existed during 2025 and 2026. Carrie's public statements denying the need for organisational status to run raffles but acknowledging paperwork requirements further complicate the picture, as no valid licence was in place.
Throughout 2024 and early 2025, Carrie continued to promote raffles, both free and paid, across multiple premises, including Pontypool, Risca, and Blackwood shops. She solicited volunteers to run raffles and lotteries and encouraged participation, often emphasising that proceeds would support families and mothers through the Baby Bank. Carrie also frequently highlighted free raffles for children, offering toys and food parcels, which she described as open to children under 18 of customers and donors.
In late 2025 and early 2026, Carrie-Anne Ridsdale maintained that most raffles were free, denying conducting paid lotteries despite evidence of paid raffles at £1 to £2 per ticket. She also claimed to have submitted a raffle licence application. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated by official records, and Carrie admitted the licence had lapsed. Carrie accused others of falsely reporting her for conducting lotteries, which she denied.
Carrie's repeated claims of legal raffle operation contrast sharply with the regulatory reality. The absence of a valid licence for paid raffles exposes the operation to potential breaches of the Gambling Act 2005. Carrie-Anne Ridsdale's emphasis on free raffles for children and fundraising events does not negate the regulatory requirement for licensing when charging for raffle tickets.
In summary, Carrie's narrative evolved from promoting both free and paid raffles with asserted legal compliance to acknowledging licence lapses while continuing paid raffles. Official records and council FOI responses refute the existence of a valid raffle licence during the relevant periods. This discrepancy raises significant concerns about regulatory compliance and fundraising legitimacy. Carrie's claims about raffle licences and legal authority are not supported by external evidence, undermining credibility and exposing the operation to legal risk.
