It was a typical Friday night after a long week, and a challenging time picking a movie to watch led us to settle on the third choice on Netflix. While casually watching the film and enjoying a glass of red wine, I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook on my phone.
An advertisement from Omaze grabbed my attention, offering a chance to win a luxurious beachfront house in Sussex, just a short drive from my location. Intrigued by the opportunity, I imagined owning a £4 million property so close by.
The ad painted a vivid picture of the property, describing a serene setting in the Angmering-on-Sea estate with enticing features like a solid oak table and access to a private Lawn Tennis Club. The thought of welcoming friends at the village station and enjoying a seaside retreat captivated me.
Despite the slim odds of winning, similar to hitting the National Lottery jackpot, I decided to try my luck, spurred on by a mix of boredom and a few glasses of wine. Days passed, and I almost forgot about the raffle until I received an email from Omaze announcing that I had won.
Excitedly, I opened the email only to find out that I had won £15, a modest return on my investment. Nevertheless, for a brief moment, I felt like a millionaire in my mind.
Rather than cashing out, I reinvested my winnings in tickets for a Cornwall property competition by Omaze. With newfound hope in winning, I envisioned a future barbecue at my imagined Cornwall house.
Despite my efforts, I did not win the Cornish seafront property. The actual winners were Jon Dexter, a retired physics teacher from Doncaster, and James Moughton, a former taxi driver from Hull, who won the Sussex mansion.
While I continue to await my first big win, stories like these keep hope alive for the next opportunity.