I won jaw-dropping £2m five-bedroom mansion in Devon for just £25 – here’s why the location is extra special
A DAD who won a jaw-dropping £2million home for just £25 has revealed why the location is extra special.
Simon Williams, 41, scooped the picturesque cottage in Devon and £100,000 cash to spend after entering the Omaze Million Pound House Draw.
The dad-of-two, originally from Kent, has lived in his current three-bedroom house in Sussex for 15-years.
His stunning new five-bed cottage is set amidst enchanting woodland that borders Dartmoor National Park and features landscaped gardens and state-of-the-art appliances.
The property also features a separate two-bedroom guest house with an open-plan kitchen-dining area, shower room and comfortable living area.
But for all the luxuries the house boasts, Simon says that is a personal connection that has made it all the more worthwhile.
Simon said: “I absolutely adore Devon, my late father used to bring me here for family holidays when I was a child, it’s such a beautiful county and it holds so many fond memories for me.
“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 Omaze Million Pound House Draw has also raised £1,700,000 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support – who supported Simon’s father during his own battle with cancer.
Simon added: “I entered the draw because I absolutely loved the house and Devon – but also because Macmillan is such an incredible charity.
“I lost my father to cancer when I was in my early 20s, and they supported my father and us back then, so I know firsthand just how amazing the work they do is.
“I’m thrilled that this partnership with Omaze has raised so much money for them to continue helping families just like they helped mine.”
However, Simon nearly missed out on becoming a multi-millionaire after he thought about ignoring the phone call telling him he’d won, thinking it was spam.
He said: ”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.
”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.”
Simon added: “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.
“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.”
If rented out, local estate agents estimate that the property could raise a long term monthly rental value of almost £3,000 per month.
The money raised will help Macmillan Cancer Support to continue to support people and families living with cancer throughout their battle against the disease.
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.
“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.
“We’re so proud that the Omaze community has raised over £20,000,000 for good causes across the UK.”