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Thursday, December 5, 2024

Lucky Inverness Mum-of-Three Wins £3m House in Surrey From Just a £10 Entry – But Thought it Was a Prank!

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A mother-of-three has won the keys to an idyllic house in Surrey worth £3 million – along with £100,000 in cash – for just £10 – as part of a prize draw that raised £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK – in only six weeks.

Rachael Reid (54), who works in childcare, has won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Surrey – and is now the proud owner of a contemporary, five-bedroom house near Farnham, complete with a pool house, gym and sauna.

Her big win means her husband of almost 30 years, Darren (56), can finally retire from his job in the energy industry, which has required him to work away from home for weeks at a time for the past 36 years. 

Rachael said 

“We’ve probably spent more time apart than together as a family, as my husband has had to work away so often, this win means we can now enjoy a Christmas together!”

The stunning property comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.

Rachael has also been given £100,000 in cash to help her settle in – and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever she wishes to become a cash multi-millionaire. 

If Rachael decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long-term rental value between £9,000 and £10,000 per month.

Rachael who lives in Inverness, but is originally from Devon, who bought her £3,000,000 winning entry for just £10 – works at a Forest School as an assistant practitioner. 

She and Darren have been married for 29 years and have lived in their current 3-bedroom house in Inverness for three years.

They have two daughters, Alisha (25), Gabrielle (19) and son Harris (14). 

When Omaze first contacted Rachael to tell her she’d scooped a prize, she thought it was her husband’s cousin playing a prank on her. 

An elated Rachael said: 

“When I first got the call from Omaze I was convinced it was my husband’s cousin Kevin doing a windup, as he’s a notorious prankster, but when I poked my head out the door and saw the film crew – I realised it was the real deal.  

“We already had friends and family coming over that night, when I said I’ve got something to tell everyone – my friend thought I was pregnant, I said ‘as if’!

“Despite winning a £3m house – we didn’t have anything to drink – so we had to dash out and buy some champagne to celebrate with!

“My husband was away with work – he thought I was pulling his leg at first – he had to double check it wasn’t April Fool’s Day!

“It’s been so surreal – never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we’d own a multi-million-pound house.

“This house is absolutely stunning, walking through the gates and seeing it for the first time makes it feel real – it’s breathtaking. 

“I love cooking, so the open plan kitchen is a bit of me, I can’t wait to get everyone together around the table for a family feast. 

“I’ve been meaning to book a long overdue spa day for ages, but now we’ve got our very own spa in the garden, I can’t believe it!

“My husband can’t wait to dive into the swimming pool – he wishes he’d brought his trunks today!”

She added: 

“It’s obviously an unbelievable house – but we’ll most likely sell it to bank the cash, as the huge amount of money will change our lives, and the lives of our children forever. 

“We’ve already pocketed £100k as part of the win – which would easily cover any running costs here for years – but I think we’ll sell it to release the money and buy another amazing place, or even build a new home near where we already live, which is something we’ve always dreamed of – it’s all so exciting!

“We’ll definitely have a big family holiday here first so we can all enjoy the house together.

“The money from a sale is going to change everything for us – and all from just a £10 entry! – it’s the best tenner I’ve ever spent.”

She continued: 

“My husband spends weeks and weeks away at a time for his work – he’s had to miss so many birthdays, Christmases and weddings – we’ve probably spent more time apart than together over the past 30 years due to his work.

“He always thought he’d be working til 73 like his dad – but now he can think about retiring early – all because we’ve won this house.

“He can finally spend Christmas and birthdays at home with us, it’s the best feeling ever!

“This win means we’ll never have to worry about money ever again – it’s secured all our futures.

“We can get all our kids on the property ladder – it’s so wonderful to be able to give them the best possible start in life.”

She concluded: 

“We always give as much as we can to charity – that’s why we enter Omaze draws – as even if we hadn’t have won – we’ve still contributed towards a worthy cause like Prostate Cancer UK.”

Rachael’s new house is an exquisitely renovated property that comes with a detached pool house – with 10m x 3.8m heated swimming pool, by Roman Pools – complete with a shower, gym, sauna and changing room to offer her a spa-like experience.

Bi-folding doors lead into the extensive landscaped gardens.

The house itself is approached through solid wood electric gates that open onto a large gravel driveway with double carport.

It has been refurbished to an exceptional standard, incorporating modern architectural design with luxurious styling to provide elegant living spaces ideal for Rachael to entertain guests and relax with her friends and family.

Rachael will be greeted by a large entrance hallway which leads into a drawing room with vaulted ceiling that overlooks the private rear garden – and features a unique Purbeck stone chimney fireplace mirrored externally.

The heart of the home is the kitchen and dining area.

With oak flooring throughout, the bespoke kitchen has an island with breakfast bar, Shaker oak eye and base level units that comprise a wide range of fitted Siemens appliances, Liebherr full height induction hob, and a boiling filtered water tap.

The house also offers a spacious living room and a separate study, perfect for if Rachael ever wants to work from her new home. 

There are five bedrooms, including a main suite with bespoke dressing area and en suite bathroom with a free-standing bath and fitted shower.

The property is nestled in a secluded setting, covering 1.4 acres, and has an outdoor kitchen with concrete worktops, built-in cupboards and a gas BBQ – as well as an outdoor open fireplace for the winner to enjoy whilst taking in the beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds, including a large, wooded area.

Guildford and Farnham are both within easy reach of the property, providing excellent and varied shopping, educational and cultural facilities – as well as a good train service that can reach London’s Waterloo station in under an hour. 

As well as making Rachael a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Surrey, also raised £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK – in just six weeks.

The money raised from the partnership with Omaze will help to fund TRANSFORM – a major, world leading research programme that will test new ways of diagnosing prostate cancer and lead to the first ever UK wide prostate cancer screening programme for men.

Prostate Cancer UK is the leading men’s health charity in the UK, striving for a world where no man dies of prostate cancer. 

The charity helps save men’s lives by funding groundbreaking research into new tests and treatments, as well as supporting men and their families affected by the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime – and every 45 mins one man dies from the disease.

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 

“It’s truly remarkable that in just six weeks the Omaze House Draw has raised a staggering £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

“It’s an extraordinary sum that will move us closer to a world where no man dies of prostate cancer.  

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to Omaze and everyone who entered the draw.

“By doing so, you’ve contributed an enormous amount to our ground-breaking research trial, which will lead to the first ever UK wide prostate cancer screening programme.  

“The funds will also enable us to deliver vital awareness activity, reaching those at greatest risk, and further deliver our expert support services giving men the power to navigate prostate cancer.” 

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: 

Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted that Rachael and her family have won this amazing house in Surrey, whilst also contributing to the £3,450,000 raised for Prostate Cancer UK.

“Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this beautiful house in Surrey, whilst also introducing charities to vast new audiences that would otherwise be out of reach – it’s a real win-win for both charities and entrants.

“We’re incredibly proud that the Omaze community has raised over £47 million for good causes across the UK.”

Draw entries for the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, London, are available now at omaze.co.uk

The Draw closes on Sunday 28th of July for online entries and Tuesday 30th July 2024 for postal entries. 

Entrants can also choose to subscribe to Omaze to be automatically entered into every Grand Prize and Early Bird Prize, each month.

Omaze subscribers receive double the amount of entries compared to non-subscribers and can cancel their subscription at any time.

When Omaze has two draws running simultaneously, subscribers are entered into both, with a £10 subscription providing 30 entries into both house draws – meaning 60 entries in total for just £10.

For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk

No purchase necessary to enter.

Over 18s and UK residents only. 

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