Dad wins £2million Omaze house - and he nearly ignored call giving him the news
One dad won a £2million home but nearly ignored the winning phone call.
A luxury cottage tucked away in the idyllic Devon countryside was up for grabs in a prize draw and aircraft engineer Simon Williams landed the stunning five-bed renovated rural home, alongside pocketing £100,000 in cash. But it didn’t stop there for the 41-year-old who also raised £1.7m for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity which helped Simon's dad who passed away when Simon was in his 20s.
However, Simon nearly missed it all as he almost ignored the winning phone call which told him about the life-changing win with the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. He had been due to head to Wagammas for a meal with some pals when he got the call, but was close to not picking up as he assumed it was a nuisance cold caller.
Simon, who has two daughters aged 11 and 13, said: “I got a call at work from a number I didn’t recognise, I’d been getting nuisance spam calls all day trying to sell me something and was at my wits end so I nearly didn’t answer - but I’m very glad I decided to pick up now! When I found out I’d actually won the house I was in sheer disbelief!
Simon Williams celebrating outside his new £2.2m home in Devon (Mark Field Photography / Omaze)"I got home and opened a bottle of fizz to celebrate but could only manage one glass before I had to go to bed, it was the most surreal evening of my life so I needed a lie down after all that! I was meant to go out for dinner with friends that evening, but had to cancel at the last minute so I could meet the Omaze team and find out exactly what I’d won.
'Dumpster diver' finds £100,000 worth of designer gear in a single dustbin
"As much as I love my pals, it was well worth missing a Wagamamas to win a £2m house! I’ll make it up to them with a meal at my new house when they come and stay.” Simon said he “adored” Devon, and that his late father used to take him there for family holidays. He added: “It’s such a beautiful county and it holds so many fond memories for me.”
The huge Devon homeSpeaking of the house, he continued: “The house itself is unbelievable, even better in real life. I’m not sure what I’m going to do long-term yet - but I’m definitely bringing the family here for a holiday so we can all enjoy it. Having my own place in Devon and being able to bring my family here, like my father did with me, is incredibly special, he’d have loved his place.
“My sister and I have been entering Omaze draws for a while and would always speak to each other after previous houses have been given away feeling jealous and wishing it had been one of us that had won - I can’t believe I actually have now! The only thing I’d ever won before this was a £200 PlayStation, I’ll be dusting that off and setting it up in my new living room.”
The luxury cottage is worth £2millionThe house comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Simon is free to either live in the incredible house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.
If Simon decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long term monthly rental value of almost £3,000 per month. Simon, whose £2m winning entry came from his £25 monthly Omaze subscription - has been working as an aircraft engineer for 23-years. Originally from Kent, he has lived in his current three-bedroom house in Sussex for 15-years.
Simon’s charming new home is the result of a tasteful renovation that has preserved the original features of the cottage, such as farmhouse beams and exposed brickwork, while incorporating modern architectural design elements that have expanded the property to perfectly complement the original cottage - ensuring it maintains its historical character but still offers modern day luxuries and conveniences.
Inside the five-bed property (Omaze / SWNS)A private driveway leads up to stunningly landscaped gardens, showcasing lush lawns and floral displays that surround the property, which is nestled in nature and seamlessly blends into the serene surroundings of Dartmoor National Park. The main house has five bedrooms - the main bedroom comprises ample in-built storage, a panelled rear wall, four large windows overlooking the gardens below and a spacious en suite shower room.
The other four double bedrooms provide plenty of space for family and friends. The centre piece of the house is the exquisitely designed kitchen and dining area, complete with state-of-the-art appliances. It provides a bright and open-plan space, featuring a central marble island, and leads onto a dining room, with ample seating for eight people and framed by glazed floor-to-ceiling walls and doors that allow natural light to stream in and fill the space.
The draw raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support (Omaze / SWNS)The glazed doors open onto a garden stone paved courtyard - giving Simon the option to host friends and family indoors or alfresco, to take in a Devon sunset on a warm summer's evening. The cosy lounge has large sash windows, a brick fireplace with traditional log-burner and Georgian-style doors leading to the manicured gardens. There is also a home office that has a calming and tranquil atmosphere as well as more inspiring garden views for the winner to take in.
Simon’s property also comes with a two-bedroom guest house that has an open-plan kitchen-dining area, shower room and comfortable living area, providing an ideal private space for when they have guests to stay.
Mum who relies on food bank to survive says it's a 'fight to get there first'
The kitchen lead right out to the manicured gardens outside (Omaze / SWNS)The house is less than half an hour from Ness Cove Beach, the winner can enjoy lots of outdoor activities including coastal walks, hilltop hikes, horse riding, sailing, surfing and trips to Bovey Castle. Gemma Peters, Chief Executive at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “We are beyond thrilled that £1,700,000 has been raised by the Omaze Devon House Draw.
"This extraordinary amount of money will mean we can provide support, through diagnosis and beyond, to so many more people living with cancer and their loved ones, just like the support Simon and his family received.
“Cancer can impact a person’s life in many different ways and so, every single day, we are here to do whatever it takes to give people the help they need. As a charity that relies almost entirely on public donations, we’re so thankful to the Omaze community for raising such an incredible amount of money. The funds raised will have a huge impact on the lives of many people living with cancer.”
James Oakes from Omaze, said: “We’re thrilled that Simon has won this beautiful house in Devon, whilst also contributing to the £1,700,000 raised for Macmillan in the process - a charity that means so much to him and his family.
“Omaze is a win-win for both charities and entrants. By offering incredible prizes, like this wonderful property in Devon, we give people the chance to win amazing houses, whilst also introducing charities to audiences they wouldn’t usually be able to reach. We’re so proud that the Omaze community has raised over £20,000,000 for good causes across the UK.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
