Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson surprised Keisha S., 44, from Antigua, with news that she and a person of her choice are getting a free trip to space.
Kiesha won a sweepstakes with Omaze, an American for-profit fundraising company, for a once-in-a-lifetime commercial trip to the final frontier aboard Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22.
The sweepstakes kicked off in July following Virgin Galactic’s historic mission that took Branson to space and finished on September 1.
To enter, people had to make a donation to Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization that is sponsoring Citizen Astronaut Program.
The giveaway drew donations from 164,338 people worldwide who donated $1.7 million and now the winner has finally been revealed.
‘I’ve always had a lifelong love of flying and a fascination with space, and this is truly a dream come true for me,’ Keisha said in a statement.
‘It means the world to me. I hope to share this experience with my daughter so together we can inspire the next generation to follow their dreams.’
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Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson (second from left) surprised Keisha S. (second from right), 44, from Antigua, with news that she and a person of her choice are getting a free trip to space. Here they are with Omaze CEO and co-founder Matt Pohlson (left), and Space For Humanity executive director Rachel Lyons (right)
The sweepstakes was announced on July 11, the same day Branson and his entourage traveled 53.5 miles above Earth’s surface.
The Virgin Galactic founder wanted to share the amazing experience by giving someone a seat aboard one of the company’s first commercial spaceflights, which are set to start later next year.
The sweepstakes was also a fundraiser for the nonprofit Space for Humanity and those entering were asked to donate a minimum of $6,000 minimum per person.
However, entries could give as much as they wanted to the cause.
Kiesha won a sweepstakes with Omaze, an American for-profit fundraising company, for a once-in-a-lifetime commercial trip to the final frontier aboard Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22
‘I’ve always had a lifelong love of flying and a fascination with space, and this is truly a dream come true for me,’ Keisha said. ‘It means the world to me. I hope to share this experience with my daughter so together we can inspire the next generation to follow their dreams’
‘Being able to give people of all ages and backgrounds equal access to space, and in turn, the opportunity to lead and inspire others back on Earth, is what Virgin Galactic has been building towards for the past two decades,’ Branson shared in a press release.
‘It was remarkable to be there for the beginning of Keisha’s journey to space; she is an extraordinary person who is already inspiring people with the work she does to support women in her home of Antigua and Barbuda.
‘This experience will provide another platform for her to inspire many more people into the future.’
The sweepstakes was announced on July 11, the same day Branson and his entourage traveled 53.5 miles above Earth’s surface (pictured)
Branson became the first billionaire in space this summer when he and five Virgin Galactic employees soared 280,000 feet above Earth’s surface aboard VSS Unity
Keisha will also join Virgin Galactic’s Future Astronaut community, as the first person from the Caribbean islands to got to space.
In addition to experiencing the wonder of space travel, Keisha will also receive a guided tour of Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built Spaceport in New Mexico, from Branson and the Virgin Galactic team.
This structure was designed and constructed specifically for commercial users.
Branson became the first billionaire in space this summer when he and five Virgin Galactic employees soared 280,000 feet above Earth’s surface aboard VSS Unity.
The crew reached speeds of Mach 3 on their way to the edge of space.
After a short spell during which they experienced weightlessness, the craft then pointed downwards and made its way back to the ground.
On the return flight, Branson hailed the ‘experience of a lifetime’ and the ‘hard, hard work’ that went into the flight.