Scots dad from Edinburgh wins £3m Spanish villa after buying second hand armchair on Gumtree

A Scottish dad is celebrating after winning a Spanish villa worth more than £3m – all thanks to a conversation about an old armchair.

Graham Dunlop, 52, from Edinburgh has won the latest Omaze million pound house draw and now has the keys to a stunning four bedroom villa in Mallorca.

The Scot, now living near Southampton, has also scooped £250,000 in cash as part of the bumper prize.

The dad-of-two admits he only entered the draw after a conversation over a second-hand armchair he wanted to purchase from Gumtree.

He entered the draw to support Alzheimer’s Research UK after the woman he wanted to buy the armchair from asked him to make a donation to the charity rather than give her cash.

Father to an 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son, and husband of 15 years to wife Amanda, the Scot plans to bask in the Spanish lifestyle.

He said: “The reason I entered the draw is quite random really, I’d been after an armchair for my home office for a while and one popped up on Gumtree.

“I went to pick it up but when we arrived the woman refused to take any money for it.

“Instead, she asked that we put something towards an Alzheimer’s charity, as her late husband had dementia.

“So I made a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK, then saw that they’d also partnered with Omaze, so I bought an entry to the superdraw on top – I didn’t give it a second thought and had totally forgotten I’d even entered.

“My wife didn’t like the look of my lucky chair at first, but of course she absolutely loves it now! You could say my £3m prize cost me an armchair and a leg! I’ll bring the chair out here for sure, although it might look a bit odd next to the pool.

“This villa is simply stunning, I love the design of the place and the views are spectacular, I just can’t believe it’s all ours – even if I jumped in the pool I don’t think it would sink in!

“We love Spain but never dreamed we’d ever own a place here – especially one like this! I might have to work on my Spanish a bit – although I can order a cerveza with no problems!

“I’ve got a large extended family that we’ve not seen for a while – I’m really looking forward to getting us all together out here.

“I’ve never won anything before – but this is worth waiting 52 years for!

“I’m not sure what we’re going to do long term yet – we’ll definitely be enjoying a few family holidays here – whatever we decide, this win is fantastic for our family’s future.”

The Omaze draw raised £3,100,000 for the leading dementia research charity which will support their programme to boost clinical research for dementia across the UK.

Hilary Evans, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We’re delighted that Omaze, and all those who entered the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw in Mallorca, have raised a phenomenal £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“Nearly a million people in the UK have dementia, and we urgently need to find more and better treatments so that we can take away the fear, harm and heartbreak that this devastating condition causes.

“The vital funds raised will support our Clinical Accelerator Programme, which will boost clinical research taking place in the NHS and ultimately speed up progress towards a cure.

“This is an exciting step forward in our efforts to transform the lives of people affected by dementia. Thank you Omaze, and everyone who entered, for standing with us for a cure.”

The property is walking distance from the town of Selva and village Caimari in Mallorca and comes mortgage-free with all legal fees covered.

James Oakes, chief international officer at Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Graham and his family have won this magical villa in Mallorca, whilst also contributing to the incredible £3,100,000 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this spectacular property in Spain, whilst also introducing charities to vast new audiences that would otherwise be out of reach – it’s a real win-win for both charities and entrants.

“We’re incredibly proud that the Omaze community has raised more than £31m for good causes across the UK.”

Draw entries for the Omaze million pound house draw in the Cotswolds are available now at omaze.co.uk.

The draw closes on Sunday, February 25 for online entries and Tuesday, February 27 2024 for postal entries.