Lucky father-of-two scoops £2m Omaze five-bed cottage in Devon (and reveals he nearly ignored phone call telling him he’d won because he thought it was spam!)
A lucky father-of-two who won a beautiful £2million Omaze cottage nearly missed out on his winnings because he thought the phone call telling him he had won was spam.
Simon Williams scooped the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, an immaculately renovated home in Devon.
But the 41-year-old aircraft engineer nearly missed out on becoming a property millionaire after he thought about ignoring the phone call telling him he’d won – thinking it was spam.
Mr Williams, who is originally from Kent and has two daughters aged 11 and 13, won thanks to a £25 per month subscription to prize draw which also bagged him an additional £100,000 cash prize.
The prize-winner 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.
Lucky father-of-two Simon Williams, 41, has won a beautiful £2million Devon cottage and £100,000 in cash for after paying £25 to enter an Omaze prize draw
Simon Williams, 41, won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, which has raised £1.7million for Macmillan Cancer Support – the charity that supported his late father
The main house has five bedrooms – the master boasts built-in 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
Mr Williams, from Sussex, has won a five-bedroom property set in enchanting woodland that borders Dartmoor National Park
‘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,’ Mr Williams said
The property in Devon has spacious and luxurious bathrooms with modern fittings
‘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. 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.
‘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 £2million house. I’ll make it up to them with a meal at my new place when they come to stay.’
Mr Williams’s stunning five-bed cottage is set amid enchanting woodland that borders Dartmoor National Park – and features landscaped gardens, state-of-the-art appliances and an ‘exquisitely’ designed kitchen and dining area.
The property also boasts a separate two-bedroom guest house with an open-plan kitchen-dining area, shower room and comfortable living area. If rented out, local estate agents estimate that the property could bring in almost £3,000 per month.
Mr Williams 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 charming home has been tastefully renovated to preserve the original features of the cottage, such as beams and exposed brickwork, while modern extensions have been designed to complement the historical property
A private drive leads to stunning landscaped gardens which have views of the serene surroundings of Dartmoor National Park
Glazed doors open onto a garden stone-paved courtyard where Mr Williams can host friends and family alfresco
Mr Williams said: ‘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!’
Picturesque: The £2million Omaze mansion in Devon pictured at dusk
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.
Mr Williams 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.’
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.
‘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.’
Mr Williams’s stunning five-bed cottage is set amid enchanting woodland that borders Dartmoor National Park and features landscaped gardens
The entrance gate for the Omaze Mansion, Hennock, Bovey Tracey, Devon won by Mr Williams
The property also boasts a separate two-bedroom guest house with an open-plan kitchen-dining area, shower room and comfortable living area
The mansion has modern appliances and an ‘exquisitely’ designed kitchen and dining area
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.’
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