- Michael Maher, 53, now has a spectacular retreat full with tennis courts
A father-of-two has received a £3million Omaze six-bed home in Somerset for value of a £10 ticket after his household instructed him he’d ‘solely win a toaster’.
Michael Maher, 53, was contacted by Omaze officers to say he’d received a prize and his teenage daughter warned him to not get too excited.
She mentioned he’d in all probability received a toaster however he’d truly scooped a large home in Somerset – which does include a toaster within the kitchen.
IT employee Michael and his spouse of 16 years Amanda, 54, have lived of their rented four-bedroom home on the outskirts of Luton, Beds for the previous eight years.
Their new spectacular rural retreat comes full with a tennis court docket, picturesque gardens and an orangery.
Overjoyed Michael, who’s initially from Essex, mentioned: ‘I had a name from Omaze saying I’d received a prize – clearly I used to be intrigued however my daughter was considerably sceptical and instructed me to not get too excited as I’ve in all probability solely received a toaster.
Michael Maher, 53, was contacted by Omaze officers to say he’d received a prize and his teenage daughter warned him to not get too excited. Pictured: Michael along with his spouse Amanda exterior their superb new house
Their new spectacular rural retreat comes full with a tennis court docket, picturesque gardens and an orangery
A spacious but homely orangery adjoins the kitchen – making a fantastically mild and ethereal open-plan residing area with a relaxing ambiance – which has been cleverly divided right into a eating space and household sitting room
French doorways lead off both sides of the orangery, offering entry into the kitchen backyard to the south and formal gardens to the east and north
‘Luckily for me it turned out to be a £3 million pound home – that additionally occurs to come back with a toaster!’
The couple dwell with their two youngsters, a son aged 19 and daughter aged 17 – in addition to a four-year previous cocker spaniel known as Ludo.
Michael additionally has two sons aged 32 and 27 and a grandchild aged two from his first marriage.
And after they realised they’d hit the jackpot prize they went off to have a good time on the pub adopted by a slap-up Indian meal.
But he has warned his youngsters to not get too enthusiastic about their new-found riches – and has refused their requests to give up their Saturday jobs.
He continued: ‘We went to the pub to have a good time after which on for a pleasant curry – it was your common Friday night time actually, other than the actual fact we might simply turn out to be millionaires!
‘When they instructed us we might received the home in Somerset, the very first thing my daughter mentioned was that she’d had one of the best kebab in her life final time she was there, so she was delighted we now personal a home in such a culinary hotspot.
‘I believed she is likely to be extra impressed with the tennis court docket to be sincere, however you possibly can by no means inform with youngsters!
IT employee Michael and his spouse of 16 years Amanda, 54, have lived of their rented four-bedroom home on the outskirts of Luton, Beds for the previous eight years
Their new house is ready in acres of mature woodlands, an orchard and rolling fields – electrical gates reveal a gravel drive resulting in the exquisitely renovated property that is framed by a stone walled, Italianate backyard
The charming gardens and grounds are made up of manicured lawns, fabulous herbaceous borders, woodland and fields – creating an idyllic setting
‘I’m truly garbage at tennis, however possibly I’ll enhance as I’ve received no excuse to not practise now!
‘My son and daughter requested us if they’ll give up their Saturday jobs now that we personal a mansion – we mentioned completely not, we wish them to remain grounded.
‘Going from a rented home in Luton to proudly owning a six-bedroom home within the countryside is simply thoughts blowing.
‘This home is actually spectacular in actual life, the open plan kitchen and residing space is spot on for us – and the backyard is simply unbelievable, it is so huge we’ll should put a bell on our canine in any other case we’d lose him!’
Michael joked: ‘We have household all around the world and loads of room for them to come back and keep now – if we resolve to present them the deal with that’s!
He added: ‘I subscribed to Omaze as a result of it is an effective way to help completely different charities month in, month out. Also, the possibility to win a £3 million pound home for a tenner is not unhealthy both.
‘We’ve owned property prior to now however have been renting for the final eight years – and clearly we have been working in direction of proudly owning our personal property once more.
‘This win signifies that dream has now come true, and our household’s future is safe.
The idyllic property comes mortgage free, with all stamp responsibility and authorized charges lined. He is free to both dwell within the unbelievable home, lease it out for a supplementary earnings or promote it to turn out to be a money multi-millionaire
And after they realised they’d hit the jackpot prize Michael and his household went off to have a good time on the pub adopted by a slap-up Indian meal
‘We’re unsure what we will do long run but – we’ll undoubtedly spend a while right here and luxuriate in it as a household – no matter we resolve, it is going to change all our lives for the higher.’
Michael has labored within the IT business for 25 years whereas Amanda is an admin assistant at a neighborhood college.
Their new house is ready in acres of mature woodlands, an orchard and rolling fields – electrical gates reveal a gravel drive resulting in the exquisitely renovated property that is framed by a stone walled, Italianate backyard.
The idyllic property comes mortgage free, with all stamp responsibility and authorized charges lined.
He is free to both dwell within the unbelievable home, lease it out for a supplementary earnings or promote it to turn out to be a money multi-millionaire.
If Michael decides to lease it out, native property brokers estimate the property might obtain a long-term rental worth of between £6,000 to £8,000 per 30 days.
The primary home showcases a classical stone façade – flanked by pronounced single storey pavilions on both aspect – offering a satisfying symmetry to the property.
Once contained in the masterfully renovated 3,850sq ft home, the winner’s company might be greeted by a spacious reception corridor with elegant wooden panelling and a curved staircase.
On the primary ground, there’s a mild and spacious primary bed room with en suite toilet and built-in wardrobes, in addition to a subtly built-in air con unit
If Michael decides to lease it out, native property brokers estimate the property might obtain a long-term rental worth of between £6,000 to £8,000 per 30 days
The luxurious property supplies a number of remarkable entertaining areas.
It has retained its historic character with many fascinating interval options similar to ornate cornicing within the well-proportioned drawing room, which additionally has a stone fire to offer a heat and cosy place for Michael to spend time with household and associates.
The coronary heart of the home is the expansive open-plan kitchen and household room. The bespoke kitchen is designed by Tom Howley. The kitchen is fitted with Miele home equipment all through.
A spacious but homely orangery adjoins the kitchen – making a fantastically mild and ethereal open-plan residing area with a relaxing ambiance – which has been cleverly divided right into a eating space and household sitting room.
The centre piece is a trendy double-sided log burner; there may be additionally below ground heating all through the whole home to make sure the winner stays toastie over the festive season.
French doorways lead off both sides of the orangery, offering entry into the kitchen backyard to the south and formal gardens to the east and north.
There are electrically operated skylights and the doorways are fitted with photo voltaic blinds. Just off the kitchen, there’s a boot room, a big utility room, separate toilet and plant room.
On the primary ground, there’s a mild and spacious primary bed room with en suite toilet and built-in wardrobes, in addition to a subtly built-in air con unit.
The coronary heart of the home is the expansive open-plan kitchen and household room. The bespoke kitchen is designed by Tom Howley. The kitchen is fitted with Miele home equipment all through
The home is simply eight miles away from the Georgian Spa metropolis of Bath, which provides a complete vary of buying, academic and leisure amenities
There are 4 additional double bedrooms – one with en suite – every with inviting views over the splendid surrounding surroundings.
The charming gardens and grounds are made up of manicured lawns, fabulous herbaceous borders, woodland and fields – creating an idyllic setting.
Another backyard accessed immediately from the kitchen has quite a few raised beds and is watered from a personal properly – together with a built-in gasoline BBQ.
There can also be a fruit backyard in addition to a greenhouse and potting shed.
The property additionally boasts an in depth oak framed triple storage and workshops to the north-west of the home with a separate entry onto the driveway.
The home is simply eight miles away from the Georgian Spa metropolis of Bath, which provides a complete vary of buying, academic and leisure amenities – in addition to many cultural sights together with the Theatre Royal and the well-known Roman Baths.
There can also be a daily commuter prepare service working from Bath to London Paddington which takes slightly over an hour.
As properly as making Michael a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Somerset, additionally raised £3,500,000 for the RSPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare charity within the UK, who’ve been rescuing animals for 200 years, and assist lots of of 1000’s of pets, wildlife and cattle each single yr.
The cash raised will allow the RSPCA to proceed finishing up its important work – and assist their frontline officers to rescue much more animals in determined want of assist
Animal neglect and abandonment calls to the charity are actually at a three-year excessive, and lots of RSPCA centres are already full to bursting with undesirable pets. The RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate, rehome and launch animals in determined want of care.
The cash raised will allow the RSPCA to proceed finishing up its important work – and assist their frontline officers to rescue much more animals in determined want of assist.
£3.5million is sufficient cash to maintain 50 RSPCA inspectors / rescue officers serving to animals on the frontline for a complete yr.
Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief govt, mentioned: ‘We are completely thrilled that the Omaze home draw has raised an unbelievable £3,5000,000 for the RSPCA in simply six weeks.
‘As we enter our two hundredth yr, it will assist our frontline groups rescue animals at a time when the charity has seen abandonment and neglect studies sadly attain a three-year excessive.
‘With the cost-of-living disaster taking a heavy toll on animals, we’re extremely grateful to have partnered with Omaze for a second time and we might prefer to thank everybody who entered the draw and helped to lift funds for our important animal welfare work.
‘We’d additionally prefer to want Michael an enormous congratulations on being the winner of this gorgeous home in Somerset, and to thank all of those that entered the prize draw for his or her help for animal welfare!’
The RSPCA is the primary charity associate to profit from Omaze’s up to date donation mannequin, which not solely allows it to extend its assured minimal donation tenfold, rising from £100k to £1 million – however has additionally seen the best ever increase for an Omaze charity associate thus far.
This is the second time the charity has teamed up with Omaze. The first partnership, in 2022, raised £1 million, bringing the full already raised for the RSPCA by Omaze to £4,500,000.
James Oakes from Omaze, mentioned: ‘Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Michael and his household have received this stunning house in Somerset, while additionally contributing to the £3,500,000 raised for the RSPCA – our largest ever increase for a charity associate.
‘Omaze offers individuals the possibility to win superb homes, like this spectacular property in Somerset, while additionally introducing charities to huge new audiences that might in any other case be out of attain – it is an actual win-win for each charities and entrants.
‘We’re extremely proud that the Omaze group has raised greater than £28 million for good causes throughout the UK.’