**Youngest Omaze Winner Sells £3 Million Mansion Months After Historic Win**
A remarkable change in fortune turned out to be fleeting for Lauren Keene, who last December became the youngest ever winner in the Omaze prize draw, netting an opulent mansion valued at £3 million on the Wirral Peninsula and a cash prize of £250,000. At just 24, the full-time nanny from Gloucester found her life transformed overnight by a mere £20 ticket – but less than half a year later, she has listed the expansive property for sale.
The contemporary six-bedroom home, lauded for its sweeping views of the Irish Sea, extravagant wraparound terrace, and a heated outdoor pool, has struggled to fulfil the practical needs of Lauren and her partner, Ryan Mitchell. Despite the home’s striking features and glowing descriptions on its Rightmove listing, the reality of maintaining such a property proved daunting for the young couple, who are now willing to part with it for £2.5 million – a full half-million below the original valuation.
Initially, the prospect of moving straight from a modest two-bedroom flat into a mansion equipped with luxury amenities seemed surreal for the couple. The win was a seismic shift for Lauren, who celebrated the windfall with what she cheerfully described as a “McDonald’s meal.” Speaking after her victory, she expressed her disbelief and elation, remarking, “Only last week we were looking at houses we thought we could never afford. Now our first property is a £3 million mansion. It’s crazy to think we’ll never have a mortgage. It’s life-changing.”
However, the bubble soon burst as the challenges of such an upgrade became clear. The couple spent only a handful of nights in the mansion before realising it was an impractical place to call home – especially given its 200-mile distance from their family and work commitments in Gloucester. The high costs of heating an outdoor pool, combined with general maintenance fears, only added to their hesitancy.
Lauren’s father, Daniel Keene, a 46-year-old kitchen and bathroom fitter, provided further insight. “It is a lovely house, but the associated costs are significant. For example, although the pool is heated, it’s outdoors and not thermally protected, so the heat escapes quickly. Keeping it warm in winter would cost a fortune. They’ve turned it off for now, but we braved it during a visit—and I can tell you, that water is very cold,” he told Mail Online.
Opting for a more manageable lifestyle, Lauren and Ryan now plan to purchase a humble semi-detached home in Gloucester, investing some of their Omaze earnings alongside savings to establish themselves closer to work and family. Despite Lauren’s frequent declarations that she’s about to move out, her father jokes she still calls the family home her base. “Every week she tells me she’s moving out, and every week she’s still here. But what’s important is that she’s happy and doing what’s right for her. And in both cases, she is,” he added with a smile, noting he’d be pleased to help renovate their future property.
Lauren reflected positively on the experience, stating, “Winning this house has transformed our lives forever. Whatever we decide to do long-term, we’re made for life now.” Her decision aligns with a growing trend among Omaze winners: of the 14 recipients of high-value homes, only three have chosen to live in them permanently. The option to sell, rent, or reside in the property belongs entirely to the winner, without restrictions set by Omaze.
The Keenes’ story is echoed by others who have benefited from the scheme. In 2023, another winner, June Smith, promptly put her £4.5 million Cornish mansion up for sale to aid her children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, finance analyst Becca Pott, who won a £3.5 million home near Ascot in 2022, decided to make it her base, representing the minority among the winners.
Ultimately, while the allure of high-value prize homes is undeniable, the challenges of upkeep, location, and lifestyle compatibility often prompt winners to liquidate their prizes and opt for a more practical future. In Lauren Keene’s case, the Omaze draw remains nothing short of life-changing—even if her dream house has turned into a stepping stone toward more grounded aspirations.