£3.5M DREAM HOME ..FROM A £10 TICKET
Pensioners thought win was a scam
Even though we’re at the house, it still feels like we’re dreaming
SUSAN HAVENHAN ON £3.5M DREAM HOME WIN
A WOMAN who won a £3.5million home after buying a £10 raffle ticket has told how her husband went to the pub when she told him because he thought it was a scam.
Susan Havenhan, 71, was on holiday in France when she got a telephone call telling her she had bagged a six-bedroom mansion in the Cotswolds.
But her husband, John, 70, dismissed it as a con before heading to the local bar.
The couple only realised the win was genuine when prize draw organiser Omaze contacted their daughter Harriet, 42, who lives next-door to them.
Susan, a secondary school teacher for 38 years, said: “When we first got the call, my husband was convinced it was an elaborate hoax. In fact, he was so sure he told me to hang up and come to the local bar with him instead.
“I left it for an hour or so, but once I spoke with our daughter who was at home with the film crew, I realised it was genuine.
“I was stunned. I went straight to the bar to celebrate with John, who still couldn’t believe it.
“We bought everyone drinks all night as we can afford it now.” Susan and John, a former college manager, won the grand prize in the campaign with the RSPCA that raised £1,000,000. Susan bought her lucky £10 ticket on June 5 – the last day of the draw. Their new 10,000 sq ft home has panoramic views of the countryside, a heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis court on just under two acres of land. Inside is a sauna, gym and cinema room.
The property comes fully furnished, mortgage-free and has all stamp duty and legal fees covered.
The couple, who were living in Sussex, also received £50,000 to help them settle in.
Susan, who is mum to Harriet, Kate, 39, and Polly, 36, said: “This is really going to help us enjoy our retirement.
“We thought people never actually win these things and even though we’re at the house now, it still feels like we’re dreaming. It just goes to show you’ve got to be in it to win it.”