Newtownabbey railway inspector scoops £80,000 car-and-cash prize

A Northern Ireland Railways inspector who has raised thousands of pounds for charity has had the surprise of a lifetime after scooping an £80,000 prize thanks to online competitions company BOTB.
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Joseph Hollyoak from Newtownabbey scooped a top-of-the-range Land Rover Defender plus £30,000 when he played in the company’s spot the ball-style competition.

Joseph (53), who is a passionate fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support, found out he had won the £50,000 Land Rover Defender when BOTB’s Rupert Garton video called to tell him.

The father-of-one said he played for the Land Rover because he’s always liked them.

Joseph and Rupert.Joseph and Rupert.
Joseph and Rupert.

Joseph paid just £1.60 to enter the competition which he’s been playing for just over a year.

He said: “I’ve seen them on TV shows and out and about in the streets and they’re just fantastic looking cars. They don’t only look good though, they have the power, too.

“I love playing BOTB and have been playing every week for a year or so, but I never expected to win.”

But the surprise wasn’t finished there as BOTB’s Rupert opened the boot where £30,000 in cash was waiting for Joseph.

“Oh wow,” he said. “This just keeps getting better and better!”

He said he’d put the money towards his mortgage and then give some to his family.

“I know people think of all these things they’ll do with the money, but all I want to do is pay off my bills and treat my family!

“My daughter turned 21 last year and we didn’t get to celebrate because of Covid. I’d love to take her to New York along with my wife, Norma, when we’re allowed to travel again, too.”

Over the years, Joseph has been a keen supporter of Macmillan Cancer Support raising thousands of pounds with his colleagues from work.

BOTB’s Rupert who got to give Joseph the good news said: “Joseph seems like such a lovely man and I’m super happy for him. He’s played for a fantastic car and that along with the money makes for a pretty brilliant prize! Massive congratulations again Joseph!”

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