5 September 2025
Father-of-three from Doncaster wins £3 million coastal home in Cornwall.
Former physics teacher’s new contemporary coastal retreat overlooks Porthcothan Bay in North Cornwall – one of the UK’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.
The striking four-bedroom property’s design is inspired by a pair of binoculars, with panoramic views of Will’s Rock and the Atlantic Ocean.
Lucky winner also scooped £250,000 in cash to help him settle in.
His winning entry cost just £25.
The 66-year-old exclaimed: “I taught physics for decades, but I could never have calculated the formula for winning this”
The only thing he’d won before scooping the luxurious property is a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang book when he was 14-years-old, now he’s starting his own magical journey.
The keen quiz master added: “I’ve always loved hosting pub quizzes—but this is one question I never thought I’d answer: how does it feel to win a £3,000,000 home?!”
Campaign raised £5.2 million for Omaze’s charity partner, FareShare.
The partnership was backed by broadcaster and FareShare supporter James May.
Omaze has now raised more than £106 million for good causes in the UK since launching here in 2020.
"This £5.2 million raise is genuinely transformational for FareShare.
The funds mean we can rescue even more good food that would otherwise go to waste and get it to the people and communities who need it most.
At a time when many families struggle to afford the basics, food is a lifeline. But it does more than just fill plates. It helps local charities offer support, create connections, and give people the dignity and stability they need to thrive.We’re hugely grateful to Omaze and to every single person who entered the draw. Your support is not just about food, it's about building stronger, more resilient communities right across the UK. You are an integral part of this mission, and we couldn't do it without you."
Kris Gibbon Walsh, FareShare's CEO
A retired physics teacher has won the keys to a luxurious £3 Million coastal property in Cornwall—along with £250,000 in cash—saying: “My life completely changed in the blink of an eye, it’s been a quantum leap in good fortune!”
Father-of three, Jon Dexter, 66, has won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cornwall,and is now the proud owner of a striking four-bedroom home overlooking the golden sands of Porthcothan Bay—a quiet cove between Padstow and Newquay that forms part of the famed “Seven Bays for Seven Days.”
Jon, who won his £3,000,000 prize for just £25 as part of his Omaze subscription, currently lives in Doncaster, but previously lived in Cornwall 40 years ago and always dreamed of returning one day.
His stunning home is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers panoramic sea views and private access to the South West Coast Path.
Jon’s new home comes mortgage free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered. He has also been given £250,000 in cash to help him settle in, so he can decide to either live in the house, rent it out for a supplementary income or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.
If Jon decides to keep the property, the £250,000 would enable him to run the house for many years. His new home also comes with £150,000 worth of furnishings.
If he decides to rent it out, local estate agents estimate that the home could command a long-term rental income of up to £3,500 per month.
When Omaze first contacted Jon to tell him he’d scooped a prize, he thought the knock at the door was a wine delivery.
An overjoyed Jon said: “It was just another quiet Friday night and I was in, expecting nothing more than a wine delivery, then all of a sudden Omaze turned up and I’m a multi-millionaire.”
Jon, who has three daughters aged between 29 and 33, has lived alone in his three-bedroom bungalow in Doncaster for the past 15 years. Every Christmas, Jon and a group of friends splash out to spend Christmas together at a holiday home, this year he’ll have his own idyllic house to celebrate in.
“We’ve been looking for a house to spend Christmas in for months but haven’t managed to find anything this year, so the first thing I did was message the WhatsApp group chat to say: 'Christmas sorted’.”
Jon, who worked as a physics teacher for over 30 years says he was a 14-year-old boy, already obsessed with scientific inventions, when he last won something: a copy of the book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – now he’s beginning his own magical journey!
“I thought the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang book was the best prize I was ever going to win, until now of course, winning an Omaze house is truly out of this world."
Jon, who lived in Cornwall 40 years ago before moving back north, has always wanted to return to the coastal county.
“I lived in Cornwall years ago and always dreamed of coming back here one day, I never imagined it would be to a house like this,” exclaimed Jon. “I have fond memories of living here – now, I get to make new ones with the family.”
“My three daughters are already planning their first trips down here — I think they’re even more excited than I am.”
On his new house Jon said: “This place is absolutely stunning, who needs a telly with views like that!
“I taught physics for decades, but I could never have calculated the formula for winning this, it’s what you call a quantum leap in good fortune. It has put me light-years ahead of where I ever thought I’d be.”
“I never taught maths, but £25 for a £3 million mansion is an easy equation for anyone.”
On the impact for him and his family he added: “Winning this house is life-changing for me and my family—we’re all still in shock. I’ve always loved hosting pub quizzes, but this is one question I never thought I’d answer: how does it feel to win a £3 million home?
“Whatever I decide to do, this win means mine and my daughters' futures are financially secure.
“I might rent it out, I might move in or I might sell up and bank the cash — either way, it changes everything for me and the girls.
“Thanks to the £250,000, I could easily live here for years without having to worry—it gives me fantastic options.”
On the money raised for FareShare, Jon said: “I’m very proud to be part of the Omaze community that has raised so much money for charity.”
Jon’s striking new home was inspired by the shape of two pairs of binoculars, featuring four angled ‘lenses’ that frame sweeping coastal views across Will’s Rock and the Atlantic Ocean.
The reverse-living layout places the lounge and main bedroom on the upper floor, making the most of the seascape through floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also a cosy, built-in fireplace and bi-fold doors that lead out to the terrace.
The lower ground floor features an open-plan bespoke kitchen and dining area fitted with walnut Roundhouse cabinetry, Corian worktops and integrated Miele appliances. There’s a pantry with a walk-in fridge, a utility room and a second terrace leading down to a lawned garden with a sunken firepit.
There are four bedrooms, two of which are en suite, including the main bedroom suite which also has a sunken bathtub and dressing area with sea views. A fifth room is set up as a home office with unbeatable views, but could be used as an additional bedroom.
Oak flooring runs throughout and the house is equipped with underfloor heating and smart tech. There’s also a garage and driveway with space for two to three cars.
With Padstow and Newquay close by, and the South West Coast Path on the doorstep, this property offers the best of Cornish coastal living in one of the UK’s most sought-after regions.
As well as making Jon a multimillionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cornwall, raised £5.2 million for FareShare.
FareShare is the UK’s leading food redistribution charity. It rescues good surplus food and delivers it to over 8,000 charities and community groups across the country—helping to create meals, connections and vital support for people experiencing food insecurity.
The partnership was backed by broadcaster and FareShare supporter James May, who has been a volunteer driver for FareShare’s network partner, The Felix Project, since the pandemic.
James said: “It’s brilliant that someone has walked away with a beautiful house in Cornwall, but the real win here is that this draw has raised a staggering 5.2 million for FareShare. I’ve been behind the wheel delivering food for their network partner, The Felix Project, so I know just how important this support is.
“Instead of going to waste, millions of meals will now end up on the tables of people who really need them and that’s something we can all be proud of. So, congratulations to the lucky winner, and a big thank you to everyone who took part, you’ve helped achieve something genuinely life-changing.”
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, FareShare’s CEO, said "This £5.2 million raise is genuinely transformational for FareShare."
"The funds mean we can rescue even more good food that would otherwise go to waste and get it to the people and communities who need it most. At a time when many families struggle to afford the basics, food is a lifeline. But it does more than just fill plates. It helps local charities offer support, create connections, and give people the dignity and stability they need to thrive.
"We’re hugely grateful to Omaze and to every single person who entered the draw. Your support is not just about food, it's about building stronger, more resilient communities right across the UK. You are an integral part of this mission, and we couldn't do it without you.”
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is thrilled that Jon has won this spectacular home in Cornwall, whilst also helping to raise an incredible £5.2 Million for FareShare.
“Omaze offers people the chance to win amazing houses, whilst also introducing charities to new audiences that they wouldn't normally reach–it’s a real win-win for entrants and our charity partners. We’re immensely proud that the Omaze Community has now raised over £106 million for good causes across the UK.”
This latest campaign sees Omaze surpass £106 Million raised for its UK charity partners since launching here in 2020. The Omaze community has helped support vital causes across the country and enabled charities to deliver life-changing work.
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, New Forest, are available now at omaze.co.uk. The Grand Prize Draw closes on Sunday 28th September 2025 for online entries and Tuesday 30th September 2025 for postal entries.
In addition to the Grand Prize, anyone entering by Midnight on Sunday 14th September 2025 (or Tuesday 16th September by post) will also be in with the chance to win an incredible Early Bird Prize: a Mercedes G-Wagon worth over £140,000, plus £100,000 in cash—a combined prize worth over £240,000.
Entrants can also subscribe to Omaze to be automatically entered into every Grand Prize Draw and Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw each month. Subscribers receive at least five times the number of entries and can cancel at any time.
For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
For further information please contact:
Oli Goss: oli@olleygosspr.com / 07850 529 550
Andrew Olley: andrew@olleygosspr.com / 0776 466 1842
About Omaze:
Omaze raises new and significant sums of money and awareness for charities through its Omaze Million Pound House Draws – where entrants get the chance to win guaranteed prizes such as stunning multi-million-pound houses, whilst also supporting incredible causes.
Since launching in the UK in 2020, the Omaze community has raised £106,858,289 for some of the biggest and most loved charities in the country, including Teenage Cancer Trust, British Heart Foundation, The King's Trust, the NSPCC, GOSH Charity, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blood Cancer UK, Global’s Make Some Noise, Marie Curie, RNLI, Macmillan, FORCE Cancer Charity, Breast Cancer Now, NHS Charities Together, WWF-UK, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, BBC Children in Need, Prostate Cancer UK, London’s Air Ambulance Charity, the RSPB, Mencap, CALM, Scouts, Age UK, Comic Relief, Guide Dogs and MND Association, Anthony Nolan and FareShare.
The £106,858,289 also includes support for incredible local causes across the UK: Cornwall Rural Housing Association, Hackney Foodbank,Well Communities, Holt Youth Project, Glaven Caring, Kensington & Chelsea Foundation, Colehill Community Library, Wilmslow Youth, East Cheshire Hospice, Ryedale Special Families, Give A Dog A Bone, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Jackson’s Animal Rescue, Alice’s Escapes, Ebony Horse Club, Tomorrow’s Women, Barnstondale, Carrbridge Centre, Claire House, Bath Romans, Cotswold Boatmobility, Audio Active, Smile Group, Cirencester Housing for Young People, Cotswold Friends and Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club.
Omaze is an official registered commercial participator with the Fundraising Regulator and has committed to following the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise. Omaze is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (the CIOF) and is the CIOF's Strategic Partner on Prize Draws.
About FareShare:
● FareShare is the UK’s leading food redistribution charity harnessing the power of food to change lives. We take good-to-eat food that would otherwise go to waste, and ensure it reaches people in need via our network of regional partners, over 8,000 local charities and thousands of volunteers.
● Through our network, we bring people together, reduce isolation, promote psychological and physical wellbeing, and enhance employability, helping give people the skills and connections they need to thrive. FareShare’s vision is a sustainable food system where no good food goes to waste. By redistributing surplus food to those who need it most, we strengthen communities and reduce food waste, a significant driver of the U.K.’s greenhouse gas emissions.
● During the last financial year, 2024-25, FareShare redistributed 62,000 tonnes of food, that’s the equivalent of over 148 million meals. www.fareshare.org.uk
How donations could help FareShare:
● £5 million could fund the equivalent of 25 million meals, driving us closer to a future where no good food goes to waste.
