## Anglesey Family Launch £5 Raffle for Seaside Apartment, but There’s a Twist
A family from Anglesey is making waves after unveiling an unconventional approach to selling their two-bedroom property along the scenic north Welsh coastline. John and Jennie Bailey, seeking to upsize for their growing brood, have decided to raffle off their beloved Rhoscolyn apartment for just £5 an entry — but with conditions attached to the deal.
In partnership with raffle operator Raffall, a company gaining traction in the UK for property prize draws, the Baileys have set their sights on selling up their coastal flat by encouraging hopeful entrants to buy tickets online. If the campaign proves successful, and they reach their ambitious target of 150,000 ticket sales, one lucky winner will walk away the owner of a property valued at an impressive £325,000.
The family, who relocated to Anglesey from Stockport in 2023, have embraced island life wholeheartedly. Jennie, aged 43 and mother of Henry, 11, and nine-year-old Sebastian, shared how intertwined her family’s history is with the area. “We’ve been coming to Rhoscolyn for forty years,” she said. “It’s where I grew up; my parents used to own another flat in the same block. Eventually, we bought our own to make family holidays easier.”
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Baileys made the momentous decision to move permanently, finding the tight-knit community and tranquil environment suited their remote working lifestyles. The children swiftly integrated, learning Welsh fluently during their time at Ysgol Rhoscolyn, and Jennie expressed the family’s attachment to the village. “We’ve loved living here, but as the boys grow, the flat is just too small. Our eldest is desperate for his own room,” she explained, noting their reluctance to leave if circumstances were different.
Unlike the more traditional estate agent route, the family sees the raffle as both a fun and potentially life-changing way to pass the property on. “It’s a little unorthodox, but we love that! For just a fiver, someone could win a home in one of the most idyllic places in Wales,” Jennie said. She also revealed the raffle isn’t just for individuals; local businesses can help promote ticket sales, earning commission on each sale which could help spread the word even wider.
However, there is a catch at play. The Baileys must sell all 150,000 tickets to guarantee the home will go to the grand prize winner. Should they fall short by the 1st of January 2026 deadline, the person drawn will instead receive half of the total proceeds rather than the property itself. “We’re covering all the big costs — stamp duty, legal fees, and commissions. Raffall takes a 10% cut, plus marketing and affiliate payments,” Jennie detailed, illustrating that the final payout is far less than the headline ticket figure.
So far, just a couple of weeks into the campaign, 4,500 tickets have been sold. It’s a healthy figure, but still a long way from their final goal. The Baileys are keen to stress that, despite moving, they’re staying local, highlighting their attachment to Rhoscolyn. “We’re just moving round the corner! We can’t wait to see another family enjoy what we’ve built here, and we hope it gives someone the opportunity to make their own memories by the sea,” Jennie added.
The apartment itself boasts modern comforts and an open-plan living and dining area, alongside a private garage, shared garden, a balcony, and other features well-suited to either permanent residents or holidaymakers. According to Raffall, such opportunities are rare in the sought-after village, which has a population of just over 500.
While property raffles have become something of a trend in recent years — buoyed up by social media and changing property markets — many fall short due to ticket targets not being met, and winners instead receiving cash prizes. Despite the uncertainty, the Baileys’ move is being watched closely by others in the area and beyond, wondering if this novel sales method might deliver someone a new start by the Welsh coast.
Regardless of the outcome, the Baileys’ efforts shine a spotlight on novel approaches to a challenging property market, balancing the hope of changing someone’s life with the financial realities and logistical hurdles of selling a home through luck and community engagement.