A father from Ballymena had the surprise of a lifetime when he scooped a six-figure cash-and-car prize including a brand-new Range Rover thanks to leading online competitions company BOTB.
Having booked an Easter getaway in Spain to recover from COVID-19, Wesley McLernon almost changed his mind about doing his weekly BOTB entry.
But the 59-year-old found himself thanking his lucky stars he went ahead when BOTB presenter Christian Williams turned up on his doorstep to deliver the prize of a lifetime.
Christian was there to tell Wesley that he had won a £126,000 Range Rover P510E Autobiography with £30,000 cash stuffed in the boot.
“This is unreal, I’ve never won anything in my life – I think I need a stiff drink!” said an astonished Wesley, who lives with his wife Elinor and his 23-year-old daughter Callendar.
“I have had a difficult couple of years and also got COVID four weeks ago, so I booked an Easter break in Spain. So I did wonder whether to enter BOTB like I normally do. I am very glad I did now.”
The Range Rover boasts a 700 Torque hybrid engine with 503bhp under the bonnet.
But with the £30,000 cash stuffed in the boot, it means Wesley will have a ‘pretty good pension pot’, too.
“This money will go towards my mortgage, pay off a few bills and give me a pretty good pension pot for the future,” he added. “Thank you so much BOTB!”
BOTB hands over the keys to two stunning cars each week as well as a lifestyle prize. Other recent winners have bagged £20,000 in cash, a quad bike and a gaming tech bundle.
The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £47m worth of cars so far.
Christian, who surprises winners all over the country every week, said: “Wesley’s story is a truly heartwarming one. He’d booked his family a holiday in Spain after a difficult time so his BOTB win couldn’t have come at a better time – I am delighted for him.”
WATCH Wesley’s shock reaction below:
BOTB first opened at Heathrow Airport in 1999, with Daveeda Shaheen scooping the first prize. It clocked up its 500th winner in 2019 and many winners continue to play, convinced they have the Midas touch.
Based in Fulham, BOTB has had winners all across the globe with many different reactions, the best of which probably came from Adel Mbarki and can still be seen online at BOTB.
The company uses former professional footballers to judge the competition independently each week, alongside current and former referees.
Will grew up in a house where cars ruled the roost. Indeed, legend has it that his father splashed out on a car ahead of a staircase in their first home.