Retiree bags £78,000 McLaren with 19p raffle ticket
A retiree from Somerset has won a £78,000 McLaren in a competition costing just 19p.
Joseph Ryan, from Frome, won a McLaren 570GT after entering an online competition with BOTB.
The 74-year-old was at home when BOTB presenter Christian Williams tried video calling to give him the surprise of his life.
At first, Joseph twice declined the call as he didn’t recognise the number.
“Then I had a message from BOTB to call them back, and I’m so glad I did,” he said.
Joseph, who used to work in IT, has only been playing for around two months.
“I play for a bit of fun. It was a great shock, but feels pretty amazing to win,” he said.
The McLaren 570GT is designed for everyday use, blending high performance with increased comfort and practicality. Known for its luxurious interior, comfortable ride and surprising luggage capacity, it’s a dream car for many.
Christian gave Joseph a virtual tour of the stunning McLaren, pointing out some of its standout features.
“I’ve had lease cars for several years now, but I used to drive Ferraris. I’ve never even been in a McLaren before.”
Despite his admiration for the supercar, Joseph is leaning towards taking the cash alternative.
“I would love to have a go in it, but I’m not sure my back would cope with trying to get in and out of it,” he said.
“I’ll probably use the money to get a new car. My last three have been a Kia. My wife says it needs to have a big boot to be able to get the dog in.”
Christian said: “Joseph’s reaction - a mix of shock and joy was amazing to see.
“The McLaren 570GT is a truly stunning machine, so I don’t blame him for being a bit torn about what to do next.
“Whether he decides to keep the car or take the cash, it’s an incredible win and a well-deserved prize. He’s only been playing for a couple of months, so to bag a McLaren already is pretty special.”
BOTB hands over the keys to a stunning dream car each week, as well as offering lifestyle prizes.
It is also currently offering people the chance to win a luxury four-bedroom home in Surrey and Audi Q8 Black Edition totalling £810,000 in a competition costing just £1.
Founded in 1999, BOTB has given away prizes to over 502,000 people, including £109m-worth of cars so far.
To see Joseph's reaction alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com.