A Life-Changing Win for a Mother-of-Two
A mother-of-two has achieved an incredible life change after winning a luxurious £4 million property for just £25. Emily Ward, 48, now owns a four-bedroom home in the exclusive Alderley Edge Conservation Area in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle. This area is known for being a hotspot for Premier League footballers and celebrities.
Her new home was won through the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw. The property boasts panoramic countryside views, a full indoor leisure suite, and landscaped gardens. It’s no wonder that this house has become a dream for many.
Emily shared her initial reaction to the win: “At first, my husband thought we’d won a lifetime supply of sausages, but then we realized it was actually a £4 million house instead, now that’s a real banger.” The excitement of the win was palpable, and the couple couldn’t believe their luck.
The Golden Triangle is famous for its celebrity residents, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir David and Victoria Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, and Abbey Clancy. Because of this, the area is often referred to as the Beverly Hills of the North.
Ms. Ward’s new home comes mortgage-free, with all legal fees covered and an additional £250,000 in cash to help her settle in. When Omaze first arrived at her house to inform her of the prize, she and her husband Richard, 60, were out buying tent pegs for a new campervan. Neighbors reached out to her, leading to an unexpected and exciting moment.
The story of how they found out about the win is quite amusing. One of the Omaze team had a sandwich on their t-shirt, so the neighbor thought she had won a lifetime supply of food. After a quick message in the WhatsApp group, the couple received a surprise visit from Omaze.
Richard initially thought they might have won a lifetime supply of sausages, which he was genuinely thrilled about. Emily joked, “Winning this house is more a case of bangers and cash. I said we can cook all the sausages he wants in the new house, so my husband is doubly happy.”
To celebrate their big win, the couple went to the pub and then enjoyed a nice dinner with friends, splashing out on a special bottle of champagne. Emily said, “My jaw hurts because I haven’t stopped smiling since we found out. When I told my friends, they were so happy for us but just kept saying ‘you’re joking’—no one could believe it. I still don’t think I believe it.”
On her new house, she remarked, “The house is spectacular—I can see why it’s so popular with millionaire footballers. It’s crazy to think that I might bump into Wayne or Coleen Rooney when popping out for a pint of milk. The house has got everything you could ever possibly want—a swimming pool, sauna, gym, wine store, incredible countryside views—it’s definitely in the premier league of houses.”
Although the couple hasn’t decided whether to sell or keep the house yet, Emily said, “We’ll definitely enjoy the house for a family holiday—maybe we’ll enjoy a big Christmas up here. We’re so excited to experience a house like this because it’s not the kind of place you get to visit every day, let alone own.”
For Emily, who has worked in the same career for 25 years, the win means the opportunity to scale back on work and spend more quality time with her husband, their children, and the family dogs. She added, “People say that money can’t buy time, but winning a house worth millions means we can finally work less and spend more time together.”
The couple, who have a large family between them, are looking forward to hosting in the luxury kitchen and stunning outdoor terrace area. Emily said, “I’ve always said if I ever won something like this, I’d focus on enjoying life properly. Now that dream’s suddenly a reality. It means I can finally take a breath after 25 years of working flat out.”
The striking new home features dramatic cantilevers, walls of glass, and recessed balconies, offering more than 6,300 sq ft of light-filled living space across three floors. The layout includes a double-height living room, with a floor-to-ceiling glazed wall and a wraparound, south-facing terrace connecting directly to the landscaped gardens below.
On the first floor, the custom-built kitchen includes a range of high-end Miele appliances. On the ground floor, a full leisure suite features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and gym with dedicated changing facilities. There’s also a walk-in wine store, as well as a fourth bedroom with an additional shower room.
The second floor has the principal bedroom suite, complete with an en-suite bathroom and large dressing room overlooking the garden, alongside two further en-suite bedrooms. The house also offers a standalone home office tucked into a secluded corner of the garden, offering Emily a peaceful spot to work or unwind.
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said, “Everyone at Omaze is thrilled that Emily has won this spectacular home in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, while also helping to raise £3.7 million for Anthony Nolan. This campaign is a particularly proud moment for us, as it sees Omaze surpass £100 million raised for UK charities since launching just five years ago.”