A man who has spent years helping disabled people find a home has won a £2.5million country house in a raffle.
Grant Carson, 58, scooped the five-bedroom farmhouse set in eight acres of the Lake District after entering the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. Widower Grant says he can now get a dog which was always out of the question due to chronic arthritis he has had since he was seven. He can now afford a dog walker.
Delighted Grant has also been given £100,000 in cash - plus the house comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. Grant, who has never won anything in his life, was stunned when the Omaze team surprised him at his home in Glasgow to tell him.
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He has lived in his current three-bedroom semi-detached house in Glasgow for 17 years. Until last December he worked for a charity in Glasgow for 27 years, helping disabled people with all aspects of life - specialising in employment and accessible housing.
He recently decided to embark on a new career path as a freelance consultant helping organisations to meet the needs of disabled customers. His childhood sweetheart and wife Ruth passed away in 2011 after being together for 25 years - meeting at college when they were both teenagers.
Grant said: “When the Omaze team rang my doorbell I couldn’t quite believe it at first. It’s not your average Friday night that someone comes to your door and tells you that you’ve won a £2,500,000 house.
“I’ve never really won anything before this, but now I might be one of the luckiest men in Scotland. I’ve just left my old job helping disabled people across Glasgow, which I had done for 27 years, so starting out as a freelance consultant was a big change.
"But this win has given me a financial security I’d never dreamed of, which means I can focus on my new venture helping organisations to meet the needs of disabled customers, with a lot less pressure.
“I love the Lake District, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country, I’m still pinching myself that I actually own a house here. I’m not sure what I’ll do long-term yet, but I’m going to move in for a while and enjoy it. Whatever I decide, it’s a truly life changing win for me."
He added: “Having worked at a charity for so long, I know first-hand how important it is to raise money, I think these Omaze draws are fantastic for the charitable sector.”
Grant can either live in the house, rent it out or sell it. If he does decide to rent it out, local estate agents estimate the property could achieve more than £5,000 a month from rentals.
The 18th century house is surrounded by stunning scenery, with a tree lined garden and wild hay meadows surrounded by rolling green hills. Grant said he is now looking forward to getting a dog which is something that was previously impossible.
He was diagnosed with chronic arthritis when he was just seven years old which means doing regular long walks could prove challenging. But Grant says as his new home is surrounded by such “idyllic countryside” and he can “definitely afford a dog walker”, so it’s the perfect time to finally own a dog.
The rural home also boasts a standalone guest suite with vaulted ceilings and its own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living space. As well as making Grant a multi-millionaire - the Lake District House Draw raised £850,000 for Dogs Trust.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said: “This innovative prize draw has raised an astonishing amount for Dogs Trust, and we’re so grateful to everyone who entered – the money raised will go towards our vital ongoing work to take care of dogs and find them their forever homes – which at the moment, sadly, so many are in need of.
“Congratulations to Grant for winning the Lake District house - what an incredible way to start his new year - and I’m delighted that he will finally be able to get a dog, who will no doubt enjoy the amazing residence as much as Grant will.”
James Oakes, chief international officer at Omaze said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Grant has won his dream home - and was able to contribute to this fantastic £850,000 raise for Dogs Trust in the process. Omaze is a win-win for both charities and entrants.
“By offering incredible prizes, like this beautiful house in the heart of the Lake District, we give people the chance to win the house of their dreams, while also introducing charities to audiences they wouldn’t usually be able to reach. This method of fundraising is helping to make a big difference, we’ve already raised £9,150,000 for good causes across the UK.
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