Visa rewards lucky Scotiabank clients with trip to Olympics

Marjorie Duncan and Althea Dennis will join thousands of fans cheering on the world's best athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games as the winners of a contest offered by Visa, a global sponsor of the Olympic Games, to Scotiabank Visa cardholders.

First-prize winner Marjorie Duncan, who never dreamed she would ever go to London, said, "I feel excited and eager to see what London looks like."

Second-prize winner Althea Dennis has not stopped pinching herself to make sure she is not dreaming. "When I first got the call, I could hardly sleep. Even now, I am so excited."

Duncan and Dennis, along with a guest each, will take off for London on July 26 and August 3, respectively, and stay for four days and three nights. The prize includes tickets to three Olympic events, travel, accommodation and spending money while in London.

Duncan, whose prize is valued at US$19,300 approximately (J$1,717,7000), is a big Olympic fan. When asked by The Gleaner how she feels about winning, she said her expectations of the city she will be visiting for the first time are that it will be a beautiful place. "I don't know what the weather is like, but I'm expecting to see Buckingham Palace and the changing of the guards. I have no family and friends living in London, but I will have a good time just the same, as my husband will be with me," Duncan added.

Best of all, Duncan said the Scotiabank Visa credit card will enhance her because she will not have to fork out her own spending money. "It gives me money to do a little shopping and buy souvenirs to remember London so that, whenever I think of London, I will never forget Jamaica 50, because it was when I got to go to London.

Valued customers

"We are very happy to be sending one of our valued customers to the London 2012 Olympic Games to cheer on the athletes from Jamaica and around the world competing this year, thanks to Visa," said Wayne Powell, executive vice-president - retail. "We are always looking at ways to help our customers discover what's possible in life and in their finances that include great rewards like this."

Through the contest, Scotiabank encouraged customers in Jamaica to apply for its Visa card. Customers who applied for a Scotiabank Advantage Visa by May 31, qualified for a chance to win a trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

CAPTION: Althea Dennis (right), second-prize winner of Scotiabank's Winning is Just the Beginning competition, is over the moon as she prepares to head off to London for a four-day all-inclusive trip for two. She will get to see some of the games as well as the sights of the most-happening city in the world right now. Her husband, Carlton (centre), will be with her. Making the presentation is Donna Maxwell (second left), manager, business banking, and Monique Todd (left), vice-president, marketing, public and corporate affairs. - Contributed Photos