A lucky NHS worker who won a £3million home with a £20 raffle ticket has said ‘she’ll never have to worry about money ever again’.
Catherine Carwardine, 62, won the stunning six bedroom home in a 2022 Omaze Grand Prize draw.
The house – which overlooks Lake Windermere – came mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.
It boasts a cinema room, a gym with access to a sauna and an outdoor log cabin-esque seating area equipped with fire and panoramic views of the idyllic Cumbrain countryside.
Mrs Carwardine had the choice to either live in the incredible house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever she wished to become a cash multi-millionaire.
However, she fell in love with the property as soon as she walked through the door and the family decided to make it their home.
She said: ‘I can still remember the moment we found out about the win, it was April’s Fools’ Day and we were away when we got the call, so we thought the kids were playing a prank on us at first.
‘But then we soon realised we’d actually won a £3m house – and we were just in total and utter shock. When we got back home the children greeted us on the driveway with champagne spraying everywhere, we felt like F1 drivers!’
Catherine Carwardine (pictured with her husband Chris) won the stunning six bedroom home in a 2022 Omaze Grand Prize draw
The house – which overlooks Lake Windermere – came mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered
The property has a cosy cinema room where Mrs Carwardine says she enjoys watching Strictly
On her Lake District home, Mrs Carwardine said: ‘As soon as we stepped inside the house it felt like our home.
‘We knew we were going to keep it straight away. We absolutely love it up here, it’s so homely in the winter, we love getting a roaring fire going in the living room and settling in for the night, watching the stars reflect on the lake, it still feels like a dream really.
‘When we’re here, we use the cinema room all the time – not just for movies, it’s where I snuggle up to watch Strictly too.
When the couple aren’t enjoying their Lake District retreat, they rent it out for extra income.
She said: ‘The money we get from renting it out has been life changing. It helps all our children and is paying off the mortgage on our house in Telford faster.
‘It really takes all the pressure off us. It means we’re totally sorted for our retirement now and we’ll never have to worry about money ever again – it’s an incredible feeling.’
Despite her life-changing prize, she hasn’t given up her job at the NHS, where she has worked for 40 years.
She said: ‘I love my job so much I’m still working. You don’t do it for the money, so winning hasn’t changed my motivation to keep going.
When the couple aren’t enjoying their Lake District retreat, they rent it out for extra income
The property has panoramic views of the idyllic Cumbrian countryside
The house has outdoor log cabin-esque seating area equipped with a warming fire so the space can be enjoyed all year round
Mrs Cawardine’s home came fully furnished and boasts a terrace with breathtaking views of the lake itself
‘We entered Omaze as we like to support a lot of charities and have friends who have had family impacted by dementia.
‘The partnership between Omaze and Alzheimer’s Research UK was fantastic as it raised so much money to help the charity continue its incredible work.’
She ended saying: ‘I never in a million years expected to win – but I did – so my advice to anyone thinking about entering is simply go for it!’
Mrs Cawardine and her husband Chris, 62, a technical sales representative for security glazing, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary the year they won the house. They have four children – Gareth, 37, Jessica, 33, Joshua, 24, Charlotte, 21, as well as Mya, 21, and another foster child who who lives with them.
Her house came fully furnished and boasts a terrace with breathtaking views of the lake itself, cosy log fires, a cinema room, sauna, steam room, state-of-the-art gym, staggered gardens and a workshop.
The property is conveniently located just over a mile from Windermere station, so any guests are never short of activities to entertain them.
They can enjoy cruising and sailing on the famous lake, cycling and climbing, mountain walks to the top of Brantfell or Orrest Head, visits to the World of Beatrix Potter or simply sampling the delights of afternoon tea at the Laura Ashley Belsfield Hotel. They may even catch a glimpse of England’s very own Loch Ness Monster – Bownessie – from the bedroom windows.
Rental incomes for holiday letting of the property range between £5,000 and £15,000 a week depending on the season.
James Oakes from Omaze, said: ‘We’re delighted that Catherine and her family are enjoying all the benefits of renting out their incredible home, whilst also still enjoying it themselves.
‘Omaze is a win-win for both charities and entrants. By offering incredible prizes, like the beautiful house in the Lake District, we give people the chance to win amazing houses, while also introducing charities to audiences they wouldn’t usually be able to reach. We’re incredibly proud that the Omaze community has already raised over £67 million for good causes across the UK.’
Rental incomes for holiday letting of the property range between £5,000 and £15,000 a week depending on the season
On her Lake District home, Mrs Carwardine said: ‘As soon as we stepped inside the house it felt like our home
The latest draw guarantees that one lucky person will win another house in the Lake District – a waterside winter wonderland worth over £4 million – as well as £250,000 in cash.
The lucky winner will get the keys to a spectacular four bedroom home offering breathtaking views of Coniston Water and Grizedale Forest, its own spa and summerhouse buildings, a private jetty and six-acres of natural woodland.
As well as making its Grand Prize Winner a multi-millionaire, Omaze has guaranteed a minimum donation of £1 million for charity partner Age UK. The draw is backed by radio presenter and Age UK supporter, Ken Bruce
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, the Lake District, are available now at omaze.co.uk. The Draw closes on Boxing Day Thursday 26th December 2024 for online entries and Wednesday 1st January 2025 for postal entries.
