"This is life-changing" Chesterfield house buyer's £25,000 deposit shortfall wiped out after surprise raffle win
A Derbyshire man who was exactly £25,000 short of the deposit needed to buy his home has seen his house-buying dreams receive the perfect boost after winning the same amount in cash.
Joe Wright, from Chesterfield, scooped the life-changing prize after entering the weekly Lifestyle Competition run by BOTB.
Joe, who works in business development for an AI company, was at home when BOTB presenter Nicole Jeffery video called to reveal he had won, leaving him completely stunned.
The 38-year-old is a BOTB Pass member who is automatically entered into a selection of competitions each week, meaning he had no idea he was in line for this prize.
Overwhelmed by the surprise, he said: "Wow, I can't believe this. That is so insane. Thank you so much.”
The win couldn't have come at a better time, with Joe revealing the prize exactly matches the amount he needed to complete his house deposit.
"The crazy thing is I'm saving to buy the house I'm currently living in, and I'm £25,000 short of my target for the deposit,” he said.
"I was only speaking to my sister about an hour before I got the call about how I needed £25,000.
"This is life-changing and has literally fast-forwarded things by two years.”
Joe added that while the prize will help secure his family's future, he'll also make sure to celebrate with his wife.
"It's also my wife's birthday coming up, and she wanted to do an experience, so I might use some for her to do something special."
Nicole said: "This is one of those moments that reminds you why we love surprising our winners. When Joe told me he was £25,000 short of his house deposit and then realised he'd just won exactly £25,000, it was an incredible coincidence.
"You could see the shock on his face. It took a moment for it to sink in, and then the excitement really kicked in. Knowing this prize can help him move into his own home makes it even more rewarding.”
BOTB hands over the keys to a dream car each week, while also offering players the option of a cash alternative and a range of lifestyle prizes.
It is currently offering people the chance to win a stunning four-bedroom home in Winchester, two luxury cars and a £100,000 cash prize bundle in a competition costing just £1 to enter.
To see Joe’s reaction alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com.