8legs: Omaze

#1 out of 1112.9K est. views

Grandad wins brand new £4.5m home in lottery and wife had absolutely no idea

A 66-year-old grandfather, Ian Roberts, won a £3.6 million (about $4.5 million) Omaze prize package including a six-bedroom Yorkshire mansion with 16 acres, cash, and a pledged donation to Refuge.
The couple’s reaction and timing of the news added to the surprise, as they were cooking dinner when Omaze delivered the win.
The home sits on 16 acres of landscaped grounds with panoramic Vale of Mowbray views, and features a boating lake, pool, tennis court, and equestrian facilities.
Omaze partnered with Refuge, UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, pledging a donation to support survivors and safe housing.
Ian described the win as his wife not knowing he entered, leading to a doubly surprised reaction from family members.
The winner's prize includes not only the home but also cash and the option to stay, rent, or sell, offering long-term flexibility for the family.
Ian’s family says the home will be a central place for gatherings, including their 40th wedding anniversary, underscoring the win’s impact on family life.
Ian’s legacy with Omaze includes a sense of community and a surprising, life-changing moment that became a headline, described as a real ‘Downton Abbey’ in Yorkshire.
The Mirror piece notes the home would offer long-term rental value and supports the charitable angle of the Omaze campaign benefiting Refuge.
The story reinforces the emotional element of winning: a family man realizing a dream home while supporting a charity impact.

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