A STALYBRIDGE father is celebrating after his dream winning a car for his son became a reality – days after he passed his driving test.
Andrew Williams could hardly believe it when his £1.20 gamble on an online raffle turned into an £80,000 prize bundle.
The 42-year-old, managing director of the family-run delicatessen at Ashton -under-Lyne’s indoor market, was left stunned when he learned of his prize from BOTB.
For not only did he win a brand-new Volkswagen Golf GTE, worth £40,000, that waiting for him, a further £40,000 cash prize was hidden in the boot.
His wife was by his side for the unforgettable reveal, while Alfie also joined the celebrations, receiving a huge hug from his dad.
Alfie said: “I feel amazing. It doesn’t feel real. That’s the luck of the draw!”
Andrew revealed he had previously been playing to win a Porsche for himself before deciding to try and win a car for Alfie as he began learning to drive.
He said: “I’ve been playing for months, trying to win a car for my son, who’s been learning to drive.
“On the Friday before, he passed his test, so I’d absolutely love the car to go to Alfie.
“I’m a petrolhead and I love having a go. It’s a challenge. I’ve been playing BOTB for such a long time, so to finally win is just incredible.
“I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe this day is here!”
Mr Wiliams, 62, considered taking the cash alternative to the car to buy Alfie a car with a smaller engine capacity now that he had passed his test.
But he stuck with that was there – but he is not giving up playing BOTB. He wants to win something for his other son and step-daughter.
“Me and the family are still in shock. It was a very surreal moment, but an amazing experience,” he added.
Andrew plans to use some of the £40,000 cash prize to make Christmas extra special for the family, as well as putting it towards a holiday together.
With a trip to Dubai already on the horizon, the win could not have come at a better time as presenter Nicole Jeffery said: “Andrew’s reaction was absolutely brilliant.
“You could see just how much this meant to him, particularly because he’d been playing for so long and had come so close before.
“What made this win even more special was the reason he was playing. Andrew had been hoping to win a car for his son Alfie, and to find out that Alfie had passed his driving test just a few days before we arrived was incredible timing. It really felt like everything had fallen into place.
“Taking Andrew outside and seeing his reaction when he realised the car was actually his was such a special moment. He was completely overcome with emotion, and having his wife and two sons there to share it made it even more memorable.
“And just when Andrew thought things couldn’t get any better, we revealed the additional £40,000 cash prize hidden in the boot.
“It’s an incredible prize package, and knowing that the money will help make Christmas extra special and contribute towards some lovely family memories makes it even better.”