I won a £3 million villa for £75 thanks to a chance meeting – it's incredible

A dad has won a Spanish holiday villa worth £3 million thanks to a chance encounter.

Graham Dunlop, 52, went to collect a battered leather chair he bought online from a woman – who said he could get it for free if he donated to Alzheimer's Research UK.

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He made his donation but then decided to enter the Omaze prize draw after discovering it supported the charity.

Graham has now won the keys to a spectacular Spanish villa worth more than £3 million and £250,000 in cash – all thanks to the second-hand armchair.

He still has the chair often used by one of his dogs Maisy – who he may name “Omaisy” after winning the Omaze Grand Prize.

His beautiful four-bedroom villa in Mallorca is complete with pool and stunning mountain views.

Graham revealed that the chair seller wanted him to donate money to Alzheimer's Research UK because her late husband had dementia.

He said: “The reason I entered the draw is actually quite arbitrary. I had been looking for an armchair for my home office for a while and one appeared on Gumtree.

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

“Instead, she asked if we would donate anything to an Alzheimer's charity because her late husband had dementia.

“So I made a donation to Alzheimer's Research UK and then saw that they were also working with Omaze, so I bought an entry into the Superdraw on top of that.

“I didn't think about it for a second and completely forgot that I had even participated.

“My wife didn't like the look of my happiness chair at first, but now she absolutely loves it!

“You could say my £3 million prize has cost me an armchair and a leg! I'll definitely be bringing the chair here, even though it might look a bit strange next to the pool.”

The property is mortgage free and all legal costs are covered.

Graham, who bought his winning entry for £75, has been married to his wife Amanda for 15 years and they have two children, an 18-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son.

Graham, originally from Edinburgh after moving to England 30 years ago, has worked in IT for the past 25 years.

Amanda is a part-time primary school teacher.

The couple have lived in their current four-bedroom home near Southampton since 2014.

My wife didn't like the look of my happiness chair at first, but now she absolutely loves it!

Graham DunlopIT employee

They have two dogs Maisy (12 year old Labradoodle) and Hudson (3 year old Colliepoo).

Graham said they will have to rename Maisy “Omaisy” after they win the Omaze Grand Prize.

When Omaze first contacted Graham to tell him he had won a prize, he had forgotten he had entered.

He celebrated his huge victory “in the best way a British man can” by “turning on the kettle while having a cup of tea”.

He continued: “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 that we would one day own a house here, especially one like this!

“Maybe I need to work on my Spanish, although I can order a cerveza with no problem!

“I have a big family that we haven't seen in a while. I'm really looking forward to bringing us all together here.”

He added: “I've never won anything before, but this is worth waiting 52 years for! I'm not sure yet what we're going to do in the long term.

“We will definitely enjoy a few family holidays here. Whatever we decide, this win is fantastic for the future of our family.”

Graham's new home is a peaceful retreat within walking distance of the town of Selva and the village of Caimari in the popular travel destination of Mallorca and just a short flight from many UK airports.

The bespoke design of the beautiful holiday home celebrates traditional Spanish features such as stone walls and terracotta roofs – while also embracing a contemporary atmosphere indoors – with light and spacious open-plan living areas.

There is a large swimming pool with relaxation areas and sun loungers for when Graham fancy a siesta or sunbathing after swimming.

The entire property offers beautiful spectacular views of the Spanish countryside and the mountains of Serra de Tramuntana.

Inside there is a state-of-the-art kitchen complete with dining island and a bright conservatory with floor to ceiling glass doors overlooking the manicured gardens.

There is also a luxurious living room with an ornate fireplace – which also offers direct access to the landscaped courtyard and barbecue area with its own brick oven.

The top floor of the property has a stylish master bedroom suite, complete with ensuite bathroom and dressing room, plus two additional guest bedrooms.

The lower floor also offers an ensuite bedroom with a roll top bath.

You could say my £3 million prize cost me an armchair and a leg!

To the east of the property there is a large terrace with a thatched roof pergola and mountain views.

Furnished with a luxurious sofa with coffee table, it is the ideal space for Graham and his family to enjoy the sunrise or sunset at the end of a long day of relaxation.

The property also has extensive gardens with fruit trees and other flora from the region.

The gardens have been beautifully landscaped to create a variety of terraces and private areas, perfect for Graham to relax with friends and dine al fresco at any time of the day.

The Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw in Mallorca has not only made Graham a multi-millionaire, but has also raised £3,100,000 in just six weeks for Alzheimer's Research UK, Britain's leading dementia research charity.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Britain, claiming more than 74,000 lives by 2022.

Unfortunately, if nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by the condition – by caring for someone, by developing the disease themselves, or by both.

Although the first generation of Alzheimer's treatments proven to slow the disease are on the way, none are yet available in Britain.

Alzheimer's Research UK is working to change this and develop more and better therapies that will be needed to truly shift the approach to the disease.

However, compared to other serious conditions, relatively few clinical trials are taking place in the UK.

This means people with dementia in Britain are at risk of missing out on the opportunity to take part in life-changing research.

The £3,100,000 raised through the latest partnership with Omaze will support the charity's Clinical Accelerator Programme, boosting clinical research into dementia in the UK and accelerating progress towards a cure.

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Research UK said: “We are delighted that Omaze, and everyone who took part in the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw in Mallorca, has raised a phenomenal £3,100,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK.

“Nearly a million people in Britain suffer from dementia, and we urgently need to find more and better treatments so we can eliminate the fear, harm and heartbreak caused by this devastating condition.

“The crucial funds raised will support our Clinical Accelerator Programme, which will boost the clinical research taking place in the NHS and ultimately accelerate 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 participated, for standing with us for a cure.”

Entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds are now available at omaze.co.uk.

The draw closes on February 25 for online entries and on February 27 for postal entries.

See www.omaze.co.uk for full terms and conditions. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.

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