‘You’re joking!’ Northampton dad stunned by surprise £25,000 win while doing up family home
A Northampton dad who was spending his day off renovating his new home received an unexpected surprise when he discovered he had won £25,000 in an online competition.
Elliot Thurley, aged 43, was busy working on the family property when he received a video call from BOTB presenter Christian Williams, who revealed he had won the company's weekly Lifestyle Competition.
The father-of-three, who works in the tech industry, is a BOTB Pass member, meaning he is automatically entered into certain competitions and had no idea why Christian was calling.
“You’re joking!” Elliot exclaimed when he heard the news. “I’m absolutely made up. I can get somebody in to do the tiling now.”
His wife joined the video call and was equally stunned, with the couple planning to celebrate their windfall with a takeaway and a glass of bubbly.
The prize has arrived at an ideal time for the family, who have reached the end of their home renovation budget and are also facing repairs to Elliot's wife's car.
Speaking the following day, Elliot said: “I didn’t enter not expecting to win something, but I never thought it would be such a considerable amount of money.
“It’s come at a super time. My wife’s car is currently sat in the garage broken, so we need to sort that, and we have come to the end of our budget on our home renovations.”
But the unexpected windfall could also mean a first overseas holiday for his two sons.
“Only one of my kids has been abroad on a sandy beach, my two boys haven’t even been on a plane, so we might go to one of the Spanish islands,” he added.
Christian said Elliot's reaction had been brilliant, with the shock setting in as he realised just how much he had won.
He said the money could help the family finish their renovations, repair their car and enjoy a holiday together.
BOTB, founded in 1999, runs online prize competitions offering cash, cars and other prizes.
Elliot's winning reaction can be watched at BOTB.com.