Grandmother Sells Multi-Million Pound Prize Home to Support Family
June Smith, a 77-year-old grandmother from Essex, has sold the £4.5 million Omaze mansion she won in 2023 after enjoying what she describes as "one unforgettable family summer" at the property. The sale has enabled her to secure the financial futures of her three children and six grandchildren, helping them onto the property ladder and supporting new business ventures.
From Pension to Mansion: A Life-Changing Win
June Smith's life transformed dramatically when she won the six-bedroom, three-storey waterfront home overlooking the Fowey Estuary in Cornwall through the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. "I went from living on a single pension to owning a mansion," she recalled. "It still sounds mad when I say those words out loud. I honestly thought it was a wind-up."
The win came just one year after losing her husband Ron, to whom she had been married for 43 years. June believes her late husband played a part in her extraordinary luck. "He always wanted our family to be safe and secure," she said. "Winning with Omaze meant that dream came true, in a way we could never have imagined."
A Summer to Remember Before the Sale
Before selling the property, June was determined to create lasting memories with her family. She spent several months in the Cornwall mansion with her children and grandchildren, even flying her eldest son and his family from Australia for an extended stay in business class.
"My six grandchildren absolutely made the most of it," she said. "They ran wild around the house and I wouldn't have had it any other way. It was the ultimate family holiday. The last time we holidayed in Cornwall we were all in a caravan. So to suddenly be together in a £4.5 million house was just mind-boggling."
June described the experience as "love at first sight" when she first arrived at the property and looked out across the estuary. She noted that Ron, who worked in architecture, would have adored the home.
Securing the Next Generation's Future
After that memorable summer, June sold the mansion for millions of pounds. The proceeds have allowed her to make substantial financial contributions to her family's wellbeing.
The impact of the sale includes:
- Helping all three children get onto the property ladder
- Clearing existing mortgages for family members
- Funding new business ventures that are now thriving
- Providing financial security for her grandchildren
- Leaving plenty for her own "rainy day" fund
"Seeing the difference it's made to them has been the best part of winning with Omaze," June explained. "They're all in such a fantastic position now, especially at their age - it's a world away from where I was at that stage in life!"
A New Home in Beloved Cornwall
Despite selling the mansion, June has remained in Cornwall, purchasing another home in Fowey after falling in love with the area during her summer stay. She has embraced local life, enjoying Cornish pasties, harbour walks with fish and chips, and visits to local pubs.
"Everyone has been so welcoming, it really does feel like home," she said of her new community.
The win has provided June with lasting peace of mind. "It's taken away all my worries – that's a priceless gift in itself," she reflected. "Omaze didn't just change my life, it changed all my family's lives."
James Oakes, President of Omaze, commented: "June's story shows the true impact of winning with Omaze. Life-changing prizes that can transform an entire family's future, while raising millions for vital causes."
