Mother-of-three, 54, celebrates scooping five-bed house in leafy Surrey complete with pool house, gym and sauna in latest Omaze prize draw

A mother-of-three has scooped a five-bed house in leafy Surrey in the latest Omaze prize draw, but has described how she thought she was bring pranked at first.  

Childcare worker Rachael Reid, 54, won the £3million property and £100,000 in cash - after betting just £10 - as part of a prize draw that raised £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

But when Omaze first contacted Rachael to tell her she thought it was her husband's cousin, a 'notorious prankster', pulling her leg. 

Now though the family are over the moon as it means her husband of almost 30 years, Darren, 56, can finally retire from his job in the energy industry.

Rachael said: 'When I first got the call from Omaze I was convinced it was my husband's cousin Kevin doing a windup, as he's a notorious prankster.

'But when I poked my head out the door and saw the film crew - I realised it was the real deal.'

Her big win means her husband of almost 30 years, Darren, 56, can finally retire from his job in the energy industry.

It has required him to work away from home for weeks at a time for the past 36 years.

Rachael said 'We've probably spent more time apart than together as a family, as my husband has had to work away so often, this win means we can now enjoy a Christmas together!'

The stunning property comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.

Rachael has also been given £100,000 in cash to help her settle in - and can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it whenever she wishes to become a cash multi-millionaire.

If Rachael decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the property could achieve a long-term rental value between £9,000 and £10,000 per month.

Rachael, originally from Devon works at a Forest School as an assistant practitioner.

She and Darren have been married for 29 years and have lived in their current 3-bedroom house in Inverness for three years. They have two daughters, Alisha (25), Gabrielle (19) and son Harris (14).

'My husband was away with work - he thought I was pulling his leg at first - he had to double check it wasn't April Fool's Day!

'It's been so surreal - never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we'd own a multi-million-pound house.

'This house is absolutely stunning, walking through the gates and seeing it for the first time makes it feel real - it's breathtaking.

'I love cooking, so the open plan kitchen is a bit of me, I can't wait to get everyone together around the table for a family feast.

'I've been meaning to book a long overdue spa day for ages, but now we've got our very own spa in the garden, I can't believe it!

'My husband can't wait to dive into the swimming pool - he wishes he'd brought his trunks today!'

She added: 'It's obviously an unbelievable house - but we'll most likely sell it to bank the cash, as the huge amount of money will change our lives, and the lives of our children forever.

'We've already pocketed £100k as part of the win - which would easily cover any running costs here for years - but I think we'll sell it to release the money and buy another amazing place, or even build a new home near where we already live, which is something we've always dreamed of - it's all so exciting!

'The money from a sale is going to change everything for us - and all from just a £10 entry! - it's the best tenner I've ever spent.'

She will not be alone in selling her whopping prize after MailOnline previously found that most winners end up selling after less than a year of owning their mega mansions because the £100,000 prize barely covers the annual cost of running the properties.

In November Omaze announced the winner of a property near Auchterarder, Perthshireas as Jon from Berkshire who described it as 'a dream come true'.

No further details were given about the winner but he revealed he is a regular subscriber to Omaze's charity house draws which cost just £10 to enter.

But property records show the seven bedroom house  sold in May to a businessman based in the south of England for £4,210,000. 

She continued: 'My husband spends weeks and weeks away at a time for his work - he's had to miss so many birthdays, Christmases and weddings - we've probably spent more time apart than together over the past 30 years due to his work.

'This win means we'll never have to worry about money ever again - it's secured all our futures. We can get all our kids on the property ladder - it's so wonderful to be able to give them the best possible start in life.'

She concluded: 'We always give as much as we can to charity - that's why we enter Omaze draws - as even if we hadn't have won - we've still contributed towards a worthy cause like Prostate Cancer UK.'

Rachael's new house comes with a detached pool house and heated swimming pool, complete with a shower, gym and sauna.

The house itself is approached through solid wood electric gates that open onto a large gravel driveway with double carport.

It has been refurbished to incorporate modern architectural design with luxurious styling to provide elegant living spaces.

There is a large entrance hallway which leads into a drawing room with vaulted ceiling that overlooks the private rear garden and features a unique Purbeck stone chimney fireplace mirrored externally.

The house also offers a spacious living room and a separate study, perfect for if Rachael ever wants to work from her new home.

There are five bedrooms, including a main suite with bespoke dressing area and en suite bathroom with a free-standing bath and fitted shower.

The property is nestled in a secluded setting, covering 1.4 acres, and has an outdoor kitchen with concrete worktops, built-in cupboards and a gas BBQ - as well as an outdoor open fireplace for the winner to enjoy whilst taking in the beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds, including a large, wooded area.

As well as making Rachael a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Surrey, also raised £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK - in just six weeks.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime - and every 45 mins one man dies from the disease.

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'It's truly remarkable that in just six weeks the Omaze House Draw has raised a staggering £3,450,000 for Prostate Cancer UK. It's an extraordinary sum that will move us closer to a world where no man dies of prostate cancer.

'We'd like to say a massive thank you to Omaze and everyone who entered the draw. By doing so, you've contributed an enormous amount to our ground-breaking research trial, which will lead to the first ever UK wide prostate cancer screening programme.'

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: 'Everyone at Omaze is absolutely delighted that Rachael and her family have won this amazing house in Surrey, whilst also contributing to the £3,450,000 raised for Prostate Cancer UK.'