Omaze winners reveal exactly what they’ve done with £3m dream home

An NHS worker who won a £3 million home says “she’ll never have to worry about money ever again” – and loves watching Strictly in the cinema room.

Catherine Carwardine, 62, won the stunning Omaze Grand Prize in 2022, which saw her scoop a 6 bedroom house overlooking Lake Windermere.

The house came free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.

Catherine 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.

Catherine, who bought her winning entry on Valentine’s Day for just £20, “fell in love” with the spectacular house as soon as she walked through the door, so decided she had to keep it.

Catherine 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!”

On her Lake District home, Catherine 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.

“Every morning when we wake up and look out over the lake, we still pinch ourselves, we come downstairs and enjoy a brew with a view.

“We spent the first Christmas up here with the children making some magical memories.”

On renting the property out she said: “We let the property out when we’re not using it to generate some extra income, people love coming to stay in an Omaze house.

Lots of them actually entered the draw for this house, but obviously didn’t win, and say staying in it is the next best thing.

“The money we get from renting it out has been life changing. It helps all our children and is paying off the 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.”

She added: “We’ve been fostering children for seven years and have two children with us currently – we love it and it’s great to share this amazing space with them.

“I’ve worked for the NHS for 40 years and even though winning this prize has been so life changing, 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.

“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!”

Catherine, who has been working for the NHS for 40 years as a nurse and more recently in an IT role, and 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 Catherine and 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.”

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.

For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk.