A ‘YORKSHIRE lass’ is celebrating a year in her multimillion-pound dream home after winning a national prize draw.
Eliza Yahioglu, 57, won the Omaze Million Pound House Draw on her birthday last year which gave her and her family the chance to move back up to her native Yorkshire after years of living in London.
The draw, which raised £1,950,000 for Blood Cancer UK, saw her win a renovated farmhouse, close to Harrogate, that is kitted out with modern appliances and high-end finishes - while still retaining a historic character.
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On the grounds of the property, there is a former granary that has been converted into a two-storey guest cottage complete with dining area and bathrooms and an adjoining garage that offers a workshop and office.
It is situated close to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Harrogate, offering Eliza the best of country and town life, and cost just £25 as part of her monthly Omaze subscription.
Eliza said: “I can’t believe it’s been a year already, it feels like only yesterday - it’s still sinking in now if I'm honest.
“I was on holiday celebrating my birthday when we found out - so many thoughts went running through my head when we got the video call to say we’d won the house.
“I just couldn’t believe Jo from the Omaze TV adverts was standing outside my front door, I was convinced there must’ve been a mistake and they’d called the wrong person - then I started to realise something really big was happening – all of that in 30 seconds - it was crazy!
“My husband had a tough job topping that for my birthday this year - although the weekend in Stockholm was a lovely one. The ABBA Museum almost swung it!”
On her new home she added: “The house is amazing, even nicer than it looked in pictures - as soon as I walked through the front door, it stopped being a house and immediately became our home.
“I still come downstairs some mornings and do a double take because I can’t believe I’m actually standing in my kitchen, it's still very surreal at times!
“I’ve lived in London for almost 40 years, but I'm a proud Yorkshire lass at heart. Some of my family are still based up here. We’d always dreamed of having a place in Yorkshire one day, close to what I’ve always called home - now that dream has come true!
“It’s a home that’s built for sharing - we had 16 people here for Christmas.
“Winning something so valuable in bricks and mortar is brilliant. This house is something we can all enjoy together as a family - and is a lasting legacy for my children - it’s something that will help their futures.
“The win means I’ve already been able to help my son get on the property ladder.”
The £1,950,000 raised from the prize draw went to Blood Cancer UK, allowing them to fund six projects across the UK focused on better treatment for those suffering from cancer.
Eliza also plans to have people and families affected by blood cancer stay at the house in-between treatments as a way of giving back and offering them a chance to get away.
The winner of the second Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Yorkshire, will get the keys to an 18th century Georgian country house boasting six-bedrooms, acres of gardens and a spa pool, as well as its own paddocks, stables and state-of-the-art equestrian facilities.
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Yorkshire, are available now at omaze.co.uk with the draw closing on September 29 for online entries and October 1 for postal entries.
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