Heekyoung Jin, a demand and inventory analyst from Seoul, South Korea, is now the homeowner of a stunning five-bedroom house, located just behind Wimbledon’s famous Centre Court.
She and her partner, Tom Hall, 36, a software engineering manager, have been together for ten years and have a two-year-old son called Lukas.
At three months old, Lukas suffered with breathing difficulties and was admitted into the intensive care unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a rare condition.
He had an irregular growth on his chest and underwent life-saving surgery to remove this at the hospital, where he stayed for three months.
“Great Ormond Street Hospital saved my child’s life,” Heekyoung said.
“Every single one of its staff were amazing and helped us through an incredibly difficult time.
“Thanks to them, Lukas is now a healthy and happy boy and we are eternally grateful.
“The work they do is so important – they’re real-life superheroes.”
Heekyoung entered the Million Pound House Draw, hosted by charity-raising platform, Omaze, as it was raising funds for the Great Ormond Street charity, supporting the hospital that helped Lukas.
She added: “I think the partnership between Omaze and GOSH Charity is a brilliant idea.
“It’s raising money to help the charity keep doing their incredible work to help children just like Lukas when they need it the most.”
When the draw opened, Heekyoung spotted it on Instagram on the first day and purchased a £25 ticket bundle.
For the last two years, the family has lived in a four-bedroom house in Wallington, Sutton, Greater London, but she loved the look of the grand prize.
Now, she will soon be moving into her new home which has a range of luxurious features, such as a reception hall, spacious sitting room and dining room, a family room and a study.
She said: “We’ve always dreamed of owning a house like this.
“We used to live in a one-bed flat in Wimbledon and would often walk past these houses imagining what it would be like to live in one – and now we actually do.
“We will be moving in as soon as possible – Lukas has already chosen his room.”
Other rooms include an open plan sitting and dining space with kitchen, a huge master bedroom complete with an en-suite and dressing area, as well as three additional bedrooms and an impressive two-tier garden.
Heekyoung has also received £20,000 in cash to help with running costs and all her stamp duty and legal fees have been covered too.
The prize was presented by a few members of the Omaze team, who surprised her at home with a Love Actually-inspired reveal, complete with carol singers and messages on large cards.
In a clip, a woman knocks on their front door before holding up a sign that reads: “You are one of our grand prize winners.”
Heekyoung is shown in disbelief as she puts her hands to her face, while Tom smiles with pure excitement.
As the family-of-three enter their new home, they are seen taking a look around before sharing Lukas’ story.
Heekyoung adds: “It’s the biggest I’ve won before.”
As the luxurious home is showcased on screen, Tom adds: “We are going to live here and enjoy it with our son and maybe more family in future.”
In the garden, it is revealed that the prize draw has raised £500,000 for GOSH Charity.
As the prize winners celebrate and are showered with confetti, Heekyoung is shown crying while holding up her new house key.
Tom ends the video by saying: “This is undoubtedly the best Christmas present we’ve ever had.”
James Oakes, SVP International at Omaze, said: “We’re thrilled that Heekyoung has won her dream home and was also able to contribute to the fantastic £500,000 raised for a charity that means so much to her family.
“Omaze is a win-win for both charities and entrants.
“By offering an incredible prize like this stunning house in Wimbledon, we’re giving people the incredible chance to win the house of their dreams, whilst also introducing charities to audiences they wouldn’t usually be able to reach.
“This method of fundraising is helping to make a big difference to causes all around the UK.”
The campaign’s donations will help to fund pioneering research, state-of-the art medical equipment, vital support services for children and their families and the essential rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital.
Louise Parkes, GOSH Charity Chief Executive, said: “Despite all the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, our mission has stayed the same; to help transform the lives of seriously ill children who arrive at GOSH.
“The pandemic has had a significant impact on our ability to fundraise, so the money raised by this Omaze campaign will make a real difference.
“We’re so grateful to Omaze and to everyone who has taken part for this fantastic donation.”
