Couple raffling off their $1.3 million home for just $5 a ticket
A couple are raffling off their $1.3 million (£700,000) dream country home for just $5 a ticket – and will give $200,000 for alzheimers research.
Martin and Sue Stephenson are the proud owners of a 150-year-old chapel conversion that sits in the stunning Welsh countryside. But they now want to offer the chance for buyers to escape to a dream life in the country by offering the home in a prize draw.
The pair hope to raise about $200,000 for Alzheimer’s Society by selling enough of the $5 (£3) tickets.
Sue, 53, a former marketing consultant, said: “A few of years ago we put together a bucket list that included raising a large amount of money for charity.
“Hopefully, the prize draw will help us tick that box, as well as creating a life-changing opportunity for someone, so it really is a win-win situation.”
The property has two homes – Capel Jerusalem and Jerusalem Vestry - in Abergynolwyn in the Snowdonia mountains of North Wales.
Sue and her 57-year-old husband Martin, live in one side of the conversion and rent the other as a holiday rental home.
There is a total of seven en-suite rooms and the prize even comes with all furniture, a sauna, hot tub and grand piano.
The couple, originally from Yorkshire in England, say that by renting out both houses an annual income of $150,000 is possible.
“We bought the property on a whim 14 years ago with no real plans for it, but it became a labour of love,” Martine said.
“We lived in Shrewsbury for four years and rented the entire place out but a couple of years ago we moved into the vestry and just rented out the chapel.
“It meant we could enjoy the area too as it really is spectacular – we couldn’t have been in a better place during the recent lockdown."
Former building surveyor Martin is hoping to move closer to Sheffield, South Yorks, to help care for his 88-year-old dad with dementia.
“My dad served in the RAF and spent 40 years as a sales rep. He had a big personality and, along with mum, was instrumental in founding the Lambretta Club in Sheffield,” he said.
“But he’s gone from being someone who never stopped talking to someone who sits in the corner of the room saying very little.
“Raising money for Alzheimer’s Society is a perfect fit for us as I’ve also lost another two members of my family to dementia in the past two years.”
Chris Manley, Alzheimer’s Society Philanthropy Manager, said: "We are very grateful to Martin and Sue for choosing support Alzheimer’s Society in this way – it really is an incredible gesture."
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