A man living off his pension in a one-bedroom council flat in Hull has won a £4m seaside mansion, saying “it will change my life forever”.
James Moughton, 71, claimed the keys to the luxurious beachside property in West Sussex, along with £250,000 in cash, in the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw. He said: “The place is massive, especially compared to my little flat; the dog shower in the garage is bigger than my current bathroom.”
The thrilled grandad is a former taxi driver of 20 years, whose last win was a soft toy from Hull Fair. He said: “When I was a cabbie, I used to drop people off at fancy homes – now I’ve got one of my own!”
James’s exquisite four-bedroom property in Sussex, offering panoramic sea views, direct beach access and a hot tub, comes mortgage-free and with all legal fees covered. He can choose whether to live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever he wishes to become a cash multi-millionaire.
The father of two bought his £4m winning entry for just £25 as part of his Omaze subscription, in the hope of winning a house that would change his family’s lives – but never thought it would ever become a reality. “It’s a feeling I couldn’t even have dreamed of before,” he said.
(Image: omaze.co.uk)
He plans to bring daughter, Katie, 28, son, Michael, 29, granddaughter, Harper, four, and grandson, Kasper, three, together at his luxurious new home for “a big seaside celebration.” The ecstatic grandad said: “They’re all over the moon for me.
“I can’t wait to have all the family come and stay – every day will feel like a holiday here. I’m from a council estate, but now I own a coastal paradise.
“I can’t believe I’m going from a one-bedroom flat to a £4m mansion. Things like this just don’t happen to people where I come from; the last thing I won was a soft toy at the Hull Fair.
“I used to be a cabbie and it’s safe to say this is the best tip I’ve ever had. When I was working I’d spend my days navigating traffic—now all I’ll have to navigate is my best route to the hot tub.”
James revealed what he had been doing prior to his big win: “I was having such an uneventful and boring week before Omaze turned up – I think the highlight had been nipping to the shops and avoiding getting sunburnt.
“Then all of a sudden I get a knock at the door and someone tells me I’ve won a prize – initially I thought it must be a wind-up. I was gobsmacked, I could’ve fallen through the floor.
“I went to see my daughter afterwards to crack open a bottle of fizz to celebrate.” The retired cabbie continued: “The house is absolutely stunning. The sea views are something else – it’s literally right on the beach.
“I’ve even got a hot tub looking out across the sea – my grandson’s going to love that. Now I’ve got the beach as my back garden, I think it’s time I learnt to swim.
“My son said he’s going to teach me, but I’ll just dip my toes in for the time being. I’ve also got an outdoor pizza oven, not that I’ve ever used one before – but if Jamie Oliver can do it, so can I.”
(Image: omaze.co.uk)
James said the births of his children and grandchildren were the best days of his life “but winning this place is running it close”. He said the win would “change my life forever” and be a “generational legacy” for his family.
He said: “I’ve no idea what I’ll do long-term yet — but if I do decide to sell up and cash in, the money from the sale will change the lives of my family forever. Living on a pension, you’re always watching the pennies.
“But now, for the first time in my life, I don’t have to worry about money ever again – it’ll be ice cold beers on the sun lounger from now on.” As well as making James a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Sussex, raised £4.1m for the MND Association.
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. Around 5,000 people are living with MND in the UK at any one time.
The money raised from the partnership will allow the Association to fund 24 MND research nurses for 28 months, ensuring sustained, high-quality research-led care bringing hope to families affected by MND. James’ daughter, Katie, spent time working directly with people with MND and says she has seen at first hand the “devastating” impact of the disease.
(Image: omaze.co.uk)
James said: “I’m thrilled Omaze has raised such a massive amount for the MND Association. I followed Rob Burrow’s story – what he went through was heartbreaking. It’s wonderful that the money raised from this draw will help others like him.”
Tanya Curry, chief executive at the MND Association, said: “It’s hard to put into words just how much the incredible amount raised means to all of us – it represents a real beacon of hope for the whole MND community. Since our partnership with Omaze began in May more than 300 people will have been told they have MND and at the same time they will have been told there is no treatment, there is no cure. The money raised will help us change that.”
The partnership with Omaze was backed by actor and MND Association patron, Eddie Redmayne, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Prof Hawking, who lived with motor neurone disease for much of his life, was a patron of the Association for many years before his death in 2018.
James Oakes, president of Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is thrilled that James has won this beautiful beachside house in Sussex, whilst also contributing to the massive £4.1m raised for the MND Association.
“Omaze offers people the chance to win spectacular houses, whilst also introducing charities to new audiences that they wouldn’t normally reach—it’s a real win-win for entrants and our charity partners. We’re immensely proud that the Omaze Community has now raised over £97 million for good causes across the UK.”
Draw entries for the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Cheshire are available now at omaze.co.uk.
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