A mother-of-three who won a £3million house thought it was a joke - by the family's notorious prankster. Childcare worker Rachael Reid, 54, scooped the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Surrey. She also won £100,000 in cash - for just £10 - as part of a prize draw that raised £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
Rachael is now the proud owner of a contemporary, five-bed room house near Farnham, complete with a pool house, gym and sauna. But when Omaze first contacted Rachael to tell her she thought it was her husband's cousin playing a prank on her. An elated Rachael said: "When I first got the call from Omaze I was convinced it was my husband's cousin Kevin doing a windup, as he's a notorious prankster.
But when I poked my head out the door and saw the film crew - I realised it was the real deal.'' Her big win means her husband of almost 30 years, Darren, 56, can finally retire from his job in the energy industry. It has required him to work away from home for weeks at a time for the past 36 years.
Rachael said "We've probably spent more time apart than together as a family, as my husband has had to work away so often, this win means we can now enjoy a Christmas together!" The stunning property comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Rachael has also been given £100,000 in cash to help her settle in - and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever she wishes to become a cash multi-mill.