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Former cabbie wins luxury £4m beachside property

David Mckenna
BBC News
Omaze A man with grey hair and a goatee-style beard standing in front of a large white rendered property with steps leading up to the entrance and a wooden gazebo running along the front of the large-windowed building. The man is holding up a bottle of champagne and is smiling.Omaze
James Moughton said the win would change the lives of his family forever

A former cabbie from Hull says winning a luxury £4m beachside property in West Sussex and £250,000 in cash is "the best tip I've ever had".

James Moughton, 71, entered a prize draw in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) for £25.

After receiving the news, he said: "I can't believe I'm going from a one-bedroom council flat to a £4m mansion.

"Things like this just don't happen to people where I come from. The last thing I won was a soft toy at the Hull Fair," he added.

Omaze Composite image of a man sitting on a dark-coloured leather sofa next to an aerial view of a beachfront white-rendered property, with a seating area and sun loungers in the garden. Omaze
The 71-year-old, who currently lives in a one-bedroom flat, said it was more than he could have dreamed of

His new coastal property, a short walk from East Preston and Rustington, boasts panoramic sea views with direct access to the beach, a hot tub and pizza oven, as well as a boathouse.

The property, which was the prize in the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, also comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered.

Omaze A lounge with a large window with sea views. There is a light-coloured rounded sofa and matching chairs, along with a wooden coffee table and sideboard.Omaze
Mr Moughton described the house as "absolutely stunning"

Mr Moughton, who has been living off his pension and "watching the pennies", said: "It's a feeling I couldn't even have dreamed of before.

"When I was a cabbie, I used to drop people off at fancy homes—now I've got one of my own.

"The house is absolutely stunning. The sea views are something else—it's literally right on the beach, he said, adding the dog shower in the garage was bigger than his current bathroom.

"I've also got an outdoor pizza oven, not that I've ever used one before—but if Jamie Oliver can do it, so can I," he said.

Mr Moughton added it was probably a good time to learn to swim.

He is now planning to get the whole family together for "a big seaside celebration".

Omaze An outdoor kitchen with marble work tops, a pizza oven and sink. It sits on top of a large decked area and is surrounded by wooden panelling and lights.Omaze
He said he was looking forward to getting together with his family at the house and trying out the outdoor kitchen

He said the births of his children and grandchildren were the "best days of my life", but added that this came a close second.

"I've no idea what I'll do long-term yet - but if I do decide to sell up and cash in, the money from the sale will change the lives of my family forever."

The prize draw raised £4.1m for MND.

Chief executive Tanya Curry said the funding "represents a real beacon of hope for the whole MND community".

"Since our partnership with Omaze began in May more than 300 people will have been told they have MND and, at the same time, they will have been told there is no treatment, there is no cure.

"The money raised will help us change that," she added.

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