Omaze winner mum who scooped £3m house thought she was being pranked by her pals

08 March 2024 , 08:00

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A stunned mum couldn't believe her luck when she won a massive £3million house in a competition - and even thought the whole thing was a trick being played on her by her mates.

Sarah Stocks, 43, got the keys to a fancy Cotswold home and also got £100,000 in cash from the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. The big house in Charlbury has five bedrooms, a huge garden, and a place outside to have fun with friends, with a table and speakers for music.

Sarah lives with her two kids, her boyfriend Brett, and his two children. They've been renting for ages and dreamed of buying a small bungalow one day because a four-bedroom house seemed too expensive. But when Sarah heard about her amazing win, she was sure her friends were having a laugh at her expense.

She said: "It was just another Friday when I got a call saying I'd won an Omaze prize. My first reaction was that my friends were playing an elaborate practical joke on me! I didn't think for one second I'd actually won anything, but the next thing I knew the Omaze team were on my front lawn telling me I'd won a £3million house in the Cotswolds - it was crazy! ".

"I still couldn't believe it even when I got to the house - I kept expecting one of my friends to jump out a wardrobe and shout gotcha! . We're currently renting and our plan was to save as much as possible to one day get a little bungalow when the kids have left home, as buying a four-bedroom house for us all now just isn't possible. I can't believe we now own a five-bedroom house that you could fit five bungalows in! ".

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Money raised in the lottery goes to charity

Money raised for GOSH will be used to continue treating children and young people from across the UK and constructing a state-of-the-art Children's Cancer Centre to help do so. Liz Tait, GOSH Charity's Director of Fundraising, said: "I work from home so it's safe to say my office has just had a big upgrade! ".

Sarah got the house for free and doesn't have to pay any mortgage or legal fees. She can choose to live there, sell it, or rent it out for about £5,000-7,000 every month.

The lounge looks out on to the gorgeous estate

The lottery also made £3m for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSH). "As a mother I'm obviously delighted that the draw raised so much money for GOSH Charity," Sarah shared. "I entered Omaze draws as I fell in love with the dream of winning one of the stunning houses, but always thought if I didn't win, I'm supporting a worthy cause which is a nice feeling." "Whatever we decide to do with the house long-term, this win is truly transformational for my family's future - it's changed our lives forever."

Outside is just as impressive

The money for GOSH will help treat sick kids from all over the UK and build a brand-new Children's Cancer Centre. Liz Tait, who helps raise money for GOSH Charity, said: "We are completely blown away that the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in the Cotswolds has raised an incredible £3 million for GOSH Charity in just six weeks."

"This donation will be invaluable in helping us to build a world-leading new Children's Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital, helping to save more children's lives and beat childhood cancer once and for all."

Timber beams line the bedroom ceiling

"We're thrilled to have partnered with Omaze for the second time, and look forward to continuing our amazing partnership over the next five years. We'd also like to wish Sarah a huge congratulations on being the winner of this stunning house in the Cotswolds and thank everyone who entered the prize draw their support for seriously ill children is amazing and we couldn't be more grateful."

This is the second time the charity has teamed up with Omaze, after the first partnership, in 2021, raised £500k to support the hospital's urgent needs.

The home can fit five bungalows inside it

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: "Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Sarah and her family have won this beautiful house in the Cotswolds, whilst also contributing to the incredible first instalment of £3 million towards our £10 million pledge to help build the new Children's Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital."

The enormous complex in the Cotswolds

"Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this lovely house in the Cotswolds, 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 £34 million for good causes in the UK."

Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cornwall are available now at omaze.co.uk. The draw closes on Sunday 31st March for online entries and Tuesday 2nd April 2024 for postal entries.