A former milkman from Rotherham has won a £4m mansion and £250,000 cash in a prize draw. David Roper, 58, discovered he had won the six-bedroom home in Surrey after receiving a call at work.
The property comes with a heated outdoor pool, tennis court, £170,000 worth of furnishings, gardens, stables and a barn.
Roper said the win had "changed everything" for him and his family. He lives with his wife Janny, 44, and their border collie Rosie, four.
From spreadsheets to swimming pools
Roper was at work thinking about going to the pub when the call came. He said he did not believe it was real at first.
"I wasn't sure I hadn't just dreamt the whole thing, it felt so surreal I couldn't believe it myself," he said.
He described the new home as "quite the upgrade" from his current bungalow and said he did not even buy a round of drinks at the pub when he eventually arrived four hours late.
"I'll definitely get a round in now I've seen the place for myself and know it's 100% real," he said.
Four years of entering draws
Roper had been entering Omaze prize draws for four years before his win. He said he had never won anything before in his life.
Omaze is a for-profit company that partners competitions with charities and celebrity endorsements using a sweepstake system. Founded in 2012 in the US, the company says at least 17% of money raised through its prize draws goes to charities.
A career in flux
Roper started his own milk round at 21 and ran it for 10 years before returning to education to study mechanical engineering. He has spent the last 14 years working in engineering sales.
"I never dreamed I'd end up owning a house like this - I've gone from a milk float to a mansion," he said.
Looking ahead, Roper said the win had opened up options he could never have imagined. He added: "I might even retire early."
He plans to enjoy the property and host friends and family there, but has not yet decided what to do long-term.