Army Cadet instructor wins £1.3m dream home in online raffle
An Army Cadet instructor from Greater Manchester is celebrating an extraordinary win after scooping a stunning £1.3 million five-bedroom home in the Surrey countryside.
Antonios Zymonopoulos, originally from Sparta, Greece, and now living in Cheadle, was left speechless when BOTB presenter Christian Williams arrived at his fiancée’s family home to deliver the incredible news that he had won its latest Dream Home Competition.
The surprise came courtesy of BOTB’s Essential Pass, which automatically enters members into selected competitions. Having first discovered BOTB online, Antonios recognised Christian straight away when he arrived, but had absolutely no idea what was about to unfold.
The 41-year-old was asked to close his eyes and hold out his hands as Christian placed the keys to the stunning new home into them, revealing the life-changing surprise.
“I can’t speak - I have no words. I genuinely didn't expect this,” said Antonios.
“I’ve never won anything in my life and I’ve had a rough time of it in the last few years, so this is unbelievable.”
Keen to share the moment with the person closest to him, Antonios video called his fiancée, who was equally stunned by the news.
“I can’t believe it. I’m actually shellshocked,” she said.
The win could hardly have come at a more exciting time for the couple. Antonios and his fiancée got engaged in August and are now preparing for their upcoming wedding.
In fact, the incredible prize could mean they won't have to wait quite as long to tie the knot, with Antonios revealing that the win means they could now get married even sooner, with plans to walk down the aisle within the next year.
Set in the beautiful Surrey countryside, the five-bedroom gated home combines luxury living with excellent transport connections, just 29 minutes from London Victoria by train.
Boasting four bathrooms, a luxury Shaker-style kitchen, an impressive master suite with dressing area, a dedicated study, private garden, double car barn and underfloor heating, it offers an exceptional setting for the next chapter of its lucky owner's life.
Speaking a few days after his big win, Antonios admitted he was still coming to terms with the incredible news and was beginning to appreciate just how much it could change his life.
“I still can’t believe it. It’s life-changing,” he said.
“It means I will be able to provide for my family to ensure we have an easier and better future.
“The house is amazing, and I can’t wait to take a break from reality and spend a few days there.”
While Antonios initially considered the £900,000 tax-free cash alternative, he is now leaning towards taking the house itself.
However, he hasn't ruled out renting the property out further down the line, which could provide him with an additional income and help him and his fiancée buy their own home closer to her family.
“We would like to buy a house next to her parents so we can be around them, and her sister is only a little further down the road as well,” he said.
Antonios has called the UK home for the past 11 years, having originally moved from Greece. Before settling in Greater Manchester, he served in the Greek Special Forces.
Today, alongside his work for a blinds manufacturer, he volunteers as an Army Cadet instructor, dedicating his time to mentoring young people and giving back to the country he now calls home.
“I always believe in being a good human being, doing the right thing, not cheating or lying, believing in God and thinking that good things will happen,” he added.
Christian said: “What an incredible surprise for Antonios! You could see just how much the news meant to him when I put those keys in his hands. He was completely lost for words, and it was lovely to see his reaction.
“What made it even more special was getting his fiancée involved and seeing them share the moment together. They've got so much going on at the moment with their engagement and wedding plans, so the timing really couldn't be more exciting.
“The Surrey house is absolutely stunning, and it's fantastic that Antonios and his fiancée now have the opportunity to decide how best to use it to shape their future together.”
Founded in 1999, BOTB has given away prizes to over one million people, including £178 million-worth of cars so far.
It is currently offering people the chance to win a stunning four-bedroom home in Hampshire worth £1.25 million in its latest Dream Home Competition costing just £1 to enter.
To see Antonios’s reaction alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com.