A pair anticipating their initial child have been declared the winners of an Omaze house worth multiple millions located near one of Britain’s most renowned sites, offering breathtaking vistas.
The RM4.5 million property was once the nation’s priciest council house, but it will now accommodate Roger Cana, aged 37, who works in hospitality, along with his 33-year-old accountant wife, Shalini, and shortly after, their newborn too.
The couple also won£250,000 in cash after purchasing a ticket for only a £35 entry into the Omaze Million Pound House Draw in London.
Roger viewed himself as ‘unfortunate’ since he had never claimed victory in anything throughout his entire life.
All of that has changed since he emerged victorious.
The five-story, four-bedroom townhouse located centrally in South London features a prize-winning garden with unobstructed vistas of The Shard.
The 18th-century residence in Borough is rich with history, featuring an eye-catching, painted “Take Courage” ghost sign on its brick facade, reflecting its past as part of the old Anchor Brewery site.
Roger, who manages costs for food and beverages, is anticipating the arrival of his baby boy with his wife in September.
The duo, who presently reside in a studio apartment in Hayes, West London,
London
They had been setting aside money for a down payment to purchase a house, but they will now never require a mortgage and intend to raise their child in this luxurious property.
Roger stated: “I have often seen myself as rather unfortunate since I had never won anything prior to this, however, I suppose I cannot claim that any longer.”
‘Marrying my partner and discovering our pregnancy were incredibly special moments, but this ranks just as high and surely makes for the most wonderful baby gift!’
Remembering when he found out about his win, he stated, “That particular Friday seemed like any other. I spent my day diligently at work until I received an email from Omaze informing me of my victory.”
The following moment, they arrived and informed us that we had won a £4.5 million house in London. We were utterly astonished.
My legs were trembling, and my knees became weak. We were utterly stunned!
We had a bottle of champagne at home, so we uncorked it and started preparing some delicious dishes. We believe in marking joyful moments with great cuisine.
‘Afterwards, we contacted our relatives. Initially, everyone assumed we were just kidding around. But then their feelings shifted from skepticism to immense joy for us.’
‘We’ll bring up our child in one of the finest neighborhoods in London. It’s simply astonishing.’
We usually catch sight of our neighbor’s washing from our backyard, but nowadays we have vistas of The Shard instead.
I’ve watched The Shard on television before, but now I can actually see it as I am watching TV. It’s unbelievable.
The property arrives without an outstanding mortgage, including all paid stamp duties and legal charges.
Even though they’ve expressed the desire for their son to be raised in the luxurious family home, they might choose to lease out the townhouse as an additional source of revenue or opt to sell it and instantly join the ranks of millionaire cash holders.
Omaze calculated that retaining ownership of the property could be sustained for nearly a decade with the £250,000.
The property includes furnishings valued at £150,000, prepared for Roger and Shalini—who got married three years back—to revel in when they receive the key.
Should they choose to lease it out, local real estate agents predict the property might command a monthly long-term rental price ranging from £8,000 to £10,000.
Talking about his new home, Roger mentioned: “I’m really excited about this place; my stomach did somersaults when I first laid eyes on it. The decor is stunning, which works out well since we didn’t bring many belongings with us from our studio apartment.”
‘We could likely relocate here with all our possessions simply loaded into an Uber – perhaps we’d opt for an Executive car nowadays though!’
Roger, who relocated to the UK from Goa, India, eight years ago, had participated in all of the previous Omaze house draws in London before hitting the jackpot in Borough.
He stated: “Since moving here, I have resided and been employed in London, with the aim of someday owning a home in this city. However, we never imagined that our initial house would be valued at £4.5 million.”
I’m in the hospitality industry, but now it’s time for someone else to pour the champagne for a change.
‘We have been attempting to set aside sufficient funds for a down payment to secure a mortgage. However, it appears that this effort will be unnecessary as we only require £35 and an enormous stroke of fortune.’
My spouse works as an accountant, but even without being skilled at math, one can figure out that turning £35 into £4.5 million is quite impressive.
This has transformed our lives completely—our child’s future is now far more secured than we dared to dream. It feels incredible. Our grandchildren’s futures will also be set for success!
Roger and Shalini, hailing from Kerala, India, also pocketed £250,000 in prize money.
He stated, “Because of the additional funds we receive from winning, we have the means to remain here for approximately ten years if we choose to.”
Roger mentioned that the couple can now have their family visit the UK for the first time.
He commented, “Our relatives have never visited us before—but now they can come and enjoy a luxurious stay with us! No more sofa beds or two-star accommodations for them!”
Regarding the funds raised for charity, we’re delighted that Omaze has
managed to raise an enormous sum for The King’s Trust
We’re extremely delighted to be part of the nearly £90 million that Omaze has helped raise for charitable causes in the UK.
He stated: “The placard on the house reads ‘Take Heart,’ and I think this carries a significant message for us regarding our future. It holds great importance.”
This four-bedroom townhouse boasts a distinctive charm matching its esteemed address, conveniently close to renowned spots in London.
such as Borough Market, the Tate Modern, and the South Bank
.
Upon arrival, he will encounter dual entry points leading down to the ground level which boasts Bisazza tiles. The area includes an artisanally crafted custom-made kitchen designed for dining, equipped with premium fixtures like a Rangemaster stove, built-in refrigerator-freezer unit, and a quick-boiling water dispenser.
The inside keeps numerous authentic historic elements combined with contemporary design touches like a steel-structured sunroom addition that provides vistas of the beautiful garden.
The formal dining area features sculptural light fixtures and open entrances, complemented by traditional sash windows that let in ample morning sunshine and create a cozy golden ambiance during evenings.
On the first floor there is a traditional Georgian reception room, plus another family lounge.
The three bedrooms are situated on the higher levels.
providing breathtaking vistas of London’s horizon
, with an additional bedroom located on the lower level.
The primary bedroom includes a distinctive fireplace along with a creatively crafted bathroom featuring a rainfall shower. An additional bedroom comes equipped with a play area loft, whereas yet another guest room boasts a chic ensuite bathroom.
Outdoors, there is a distinct studio area that has the potential to be an excellent home office. The prize-winning garden,
created by award-winning designers from Chelsea Flower Show Gold recipients
, boasts abundant plantings, wooden bench seating, a leafy canopy, and an aromatic herb garden.
The fire pit also serves as a grill, along with gentle mood lighting that enhances the nighttime atmosphere. With The Shard visible in the distance, this place feels like an ideal urban retreat.
In addition to turning Roger into a multimillionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw held in London generated £4.1 million for The King’s Trust.
The King’s Trust is an organization aimed at assisting youth from underprivileged backgrounds and those encountering severe challenges. It supports these individuals in developing the necessary self-assurance and abilities.
live, learn and earn
.
The funds generated through this collaboration will enable the charity to keep aiding young individuals who might struggle within conventional educational settings. Spanning throughout the United Kingdom, the Trust’s learning initiatives assist youths in acquiring the necessary abilities for pursuing employment prospects down the line.
Jonathan Townsend, CEO of The King’s Trust, stated: “We are delighted that an astounding £4.1 million has been raised for The King’s Trust through the Omaze Million Pound House Draw.”
The money collected will go towards establishing The Omaze Education Fund and will back our crucial efforts involving youth in schools and various educational environments. Thanks to The Trust’s assistance, we can motivate young individuals to enhance their self-assurance and abilities, gain insights into the professional sphere, and elevate their ambitions.
‘Thanks to the backing from The Omaze Education Fund, The King’s Trust can move nearer to their aim of eradicating youth unemployment.’
The collaboration with Omaze had support from magician, former King’s Trust alumnus, and Ambassador Steven Frayne (previously known as Dynamo).
It marks the second collaboration between The King’s Trust and Omaze, which has helped raise a total of £4.6 million from the Omaze community for charitable causes.
James Oakes, the President of Omaze, stated: “We at Omaze are absolutely thrilled that Roger and his spouse have won this fantastic London home, all while supporting our significant fundraising efforts for The King’s Trust. Together, through these two amazing collaborations, we have managed to amass an impressive sum of £4.6 million.”
Omaze provides individuals with an opportunity to win fantastic homes, all while bringing charitable organizations into contact with potential supporters they might not usually connect with—this arrangement truly benefits both participants and our charity partners. We are incredibly proud that the Omaze community has successfully raised more than £89 million for various worthy causes throughout the UK.
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