A grandfather, Ian Roberts, aged 66, has emerged as the fortunate winner of a £4.5 million home through the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw held in Yorkshire. This exceptional property boasts luxurious features such as a boating lake, swimming pool, tennis court, and equestrian amenities, situated within 16 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with expansive views of the Vale of Mowbray and the Yorkshire Moors.
Ian likened his win to owning his very own version of “Downton Abbey.” The prize includes a mortgage-free home with all stamp duty and legal expenses covered. Additionally, Ian received a cash sum of £500,000 to support his transition into the new residence, which offers him the flexibility to reside in the house, lease it out for added income, or potentially sell it.
Local real estate experts estimated that the property could fetch a long-term rental value of approximately £10,000 per month. Ian, who secured his winning ticket for a mere £25 as part of his Omaze subscription, retired after a lengthy career in London exceeding three decades.
Together with his wife Viv, also 66 years old, Ian recently relocated to Warwickshire after living in London for nearly 40 years. The couple has three children in their mid-30s and three grandchildren aged five and under.
Upon being informed by Omaze of his winning entry, Ian initially hesitated to answer the call as he and Viv were occupied preparing dinner for guests. Subsequently, the Omaze team surprised him at his doorstep with the news of his multimillion-pound triumph.
An astonished Ian expressed, “When I got the call, the last thing on my mind was winning a spectacular six-bedroom house; our focus was on preparing dinner for our friends.” He further added, “We were utterly amazed and in disbelief. My wife was unaware that I had even entered the draw, so she was doubly astonished! We shared the news with our immediate family, a total of 14 members!”
Reflecting on the unexpected win, Ian marveled at the extraordinary property, likening it to a personal Downton Abbey. The estate’s amenities, including a spacious pool house, left him in awe, with plans for the grandchildren to revel in the vast playground-like setting.
Excited about the future possibilities, Ian contemplated the impact of the win on their lives and family gatherings. The sizeable cash prize provides them with the option to enjoy the property for an extended period, potentially influencing their future decisions significantly.
Expressing his pride in being part of the Omaze Community, Ian highlighted the charitable aspect of the win, with Omaze contributing a guaranteed £1 million to support Refuge, the UK’s leading domestic abuse charity. The collaboration aims to enhance the provision of safe housing and specialized assistance for survivors of domestic abuse, a cause backed by comedian and Refuge supporter Sara Pascoe.
Sara commended the community’s contribution, emphasizing the positive impact on Refuge’s efforts to offer secure accommodation for abuse survivors. The funding is earmarked for self-contained homes to cater to diverse needs, potentially benefiting up to 60 families over the next five years.