OREANDA-NEWS. The lucky winners of one Million, 500,000 and 250,000 Skywards Miles were presented their prize at the Emirates Skywards Thanks-A-Million draw at the Dubai World Cup. In total the raffle has raised over DHS 266,000 this year. The funds will go to the Emirates Airline Foundation which provides humanitarian, philanthropic aid and services for children.

The grand prize winner, the Skywards Millionaire, is Ildar Gabdrashitov originally from Russia who has been living in Dubai for three years. Ildar will be able to use the Miles in a variety of ways - a trip around the world or up to 22 Emirates return tickets from Dubai to Europe. The first runner-up and winner of 500,000 Skywards Miles is Sharon Black, third runner up and winner of 250,000 Miles is Riyaz Merchant. All winners are Dubai residents.

Ildar Gabdrashitov, winner of the Skywards Thanks-A-Million raffle is presented his Million Skywards Miles by Brian LaBelle, Emirates Skywards Senior Vice President (left) and Jonathan Bender, Secretary General Emirates Airline Foundation (right).

“I still can't believe that I have won one million Miles. There are so many places I want to travel to and see and now this has all become possible,” said Ildar Gabdrashitov, winner of the Skywards Thanks a Million charity raffle. “But if there is one place I want to visit right away, then it's Italy. Thanks to Emirates Skywards I now have this amazing opportunity and cannot wait to travel the world.”

Raffle tickets were on sale at select dnata outlets or at the Meydan Racecourse on the Dubai World Cup day.

Now in its 14th year, the Emirates Skywards Thanks-A-Million draw has raised over Dhs 3.4 million for various charities, including Riding for the Disabled Association of Dubai (RDAD), The World Food Program, UAE Red Crescent, and Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and many others.