“My stomach is like a washing machine. I’ve never won anything like this before in my life.”
Bridlington chef Mark Wright with BOTB presenter Christian Williams(Image: BOTB)
A chef from East Yorkshire got more than he bargained for while prepping lunch. Mark Wright, from Bridlington, won a Ford Ranger Raptor worth £62,000.
He also won a £20,000 cash prize that will enable him to take his grandchildren on a dream holiday. The windfall came just a few days after what would have been Mark’s late wife’s 56th birthday, and he said he felt like she’d given him the gift.
The 56-year-old, who has worked at the same hotel for 34 years, bagged the prize in BOTB’s weekly Dream Car Competition. He was in the middle of his shift when presenter Christian Williams arrived to deliver the incredible news.
Asking Mark to step outside the hotel, a business owned by his late wife and his brother-in-law, Christian revealed the brand-new vehicle waiting for him.
Mark said: “I’m ecstatic and want to cry. My stomach is like a washing machine. I’ve never won anything like this before in my life.”
He added: “My wife would have been 56 on Saturday, and it feels like she’s sent me a present. It’s just amazing.” The Ford Ranger Raptor features a V6 Twin-Turbo engine and is renowned for its extreme off-road capabilities and rugged performance.
Father-of-two Mark, who has been entering the competition for around five years, said playing has become part of his weekly routine. “I usually play every Sunday night just before the competition closes,” he said.
“I often go for the Porsche Boxster, but I’ve always liked pick-ups and this one really stood out. The pictures sold it for me when I saw it online.”
The surprises didn’t stop there. Hidden in the back of the vehicle was an additional £20,000 cash prize, revealed moments later. Mark plans to use the cash to take his grandchildren, aged two and four, to Florida when they’re older.
Reflecting on his win 24 hours after his surprise reveal, Mark said: “It’s still sinking in. I didn’t really sleep last night as I was just trying to come to terms with it all.
“It’s an absolute honour to have won, and I’m over the moon. I’ve had so many lovely messages from friends and family as well.”
Christian said: “Surprising Mark with such an amazing prize was absolutely brilliant. He was in full work mode, so to pull him away and show him what he’d won made it even more special.
“Hearing Mark talk about what he’s been through made this win even more meaningful. You could see how much it meant to him. Not just the car or the money, but the moment itself.
“The Ford Ranger Raptor is a truly powerful machine. Driving this makes you feel like you’re driving a tank. It’s an absolute beast of a vehicle.”
Founded in 1999, BOTB has given away prizes to over 544,000 people, including £153m-worth of cars so far. To see Mark’s reaction alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com.
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