A lucky NHS worker, Catherine Carwardine, is living the dream after winning a £3 million home through Omaze's Grand Prize Draw. The 62-year-old, who purchased her winning ticket for just £20 on Valentine's Day 2022, described the moment she found out about her stunning prize as surreal, recalling the call she received on April Fool's Day. Initially believing her children were playing a prank, she soon realized her incredible fortune.
The six-bedroom home, which overlooks the breathtaking Lake Windermere, is mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees taken care of. It features luxuries such as a cinema room, gym, sauna, terrace, and staggering Cumbrian countryside views. Catherine and her family fell in love with the property as soon as they stepped inside, making it their home rather than selling it or renting it out for extra income.
Catherine reminisced about the joyful chaos upon their return home, saying, "The children greeted us on the driveway with champagne spraying everywhere; we felt like F1 drivers!" She cherishes cozy winter nights spent watching the stars reflect on the lake by the fireplace. Even with her life changed by this considerable win, Catherine remains dedicated to her job at the NHS, where she has worked for 40 years. "You don’t do it for the money, so winning hasn’t changed my motivation to keep going,” she explained.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, the Carwardine family has chosen to rent the property out when they are not using it, generating significant income. "The money we get from renting it out has been life-changing. It helps all our children and is paying off the mortgage on our house in Telford faster," Catherine shared. Weekly rental returns range from £5,000 to £15,000, making it financially viable for the family.
The Carwardines' story isn't unique among Omaze winners. Rachael Reid, who won another luxurious property near Farnham, shared her own transformative experience. After securing her six-bedroom house with indoor pool and gym for just £10, she plans to sell it six months later for just under £3 million. Rachael, 54, dreams of moving back to Scotland to be closer to family with her gardening and childcare profession at the forefront.
"The money I got as part of my big win means if we wanted to, we could stay here for years and never have to worry about any costs," Rachael said. Her renovated bungalow encompasses modern luxury and stunning grounds, offering her and her family plenty of space to enjoy.
Omaze helps facilitate such life-changing experiences not just for winners but also for charities. Over £67 million has been raised for various good causes since the company's inception, with each draw guaranteeing significant donations to charitable partners. The latest draw has captured attention, promising yet another spectacular home, along with £250,000 cash to the winner, plus the assurance of £1 million going to charity partner Age UK.
James Oakes from Omaze commented, "We’re delighted to help winners like Catherine and Rachael enjoy incredible benefits from their new homes, all the meanwhile supporting fantastic charities through our prize draws." With entries available online, the excitement continues as participants dream about winning transformative prizes.
