On Friday 11 April, it was announced that the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland had raised £3.9 million to speed up the search for breakthrough dementia treatments, and ultimately, a cure.
Almost one million people in the UK are currently living with the condition, and it is the leading cause of death in the UK. But with the support of Omaze and everyone who entered the draw, Alzheimer’s Research UK is working to change this.
The £3.9 million raised will support Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Drug Discovery team. This team was created to bridge the gap between world-leading researchers and later stage drug discovery, speeding up the search for new treatments for every form of dementia.
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“We are thrilled that the Omaze Million Pound House draw in Scotland raised an incredible amount of £3.9 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“There are still no treatments available on the NHS that can slow, stop or prevent dementia. But this is a powerful step forward in our efforts to revolutionise the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented.
“Thank you to Omaze and their incredible community for standing with us for a cure.”
Three incredible partnerships
This is the third time the charity has teamed up with Omaze. The first partnership, in 2022, raised £1 million that helped Alzheimer’s Research UK to protect and continue progress in dementia research during the pandemic. The second partnership raised £3.1 million and supported the charity’s Clinical Accelerator Programme, boosting clinical research for dementia across the UK. This latest donation brings the total raised for the charity by Omaze to £8 million.
Jordan Adams, Alzheimer’s Research UK Ambassador, said:
“It means the world to see so many people come together to support Alzheimer’s Research UK by entering the Omaze draw.
“My family and I know first-hand how devastating dementia can be – it changes everything. But with greater investment, increased awareness, and stronger support, we have a real opportunity to end the heartbreak of dementia by funding the research that could lead to a cure.
“Thank you to everyone who’s helping make that happen.”
Jordan’s fellow Alzheimer’s Research UK Ambassador, actor Brian Cox, CBE, said the amount raised was “fantastic”.
Both Brian and Jordan supported the charity’s partnership with Omaze and in a candid conversation, shared why dementia is close to their hearts.
“All of this for 25 quid – it’s not bad!”
As well as raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK, Omaze made one lucky winner a multi-millionaire.
Patricia Moule from Southport (81), won the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Scotland, and now calls an idyllic four-bedroom house with uninterrupted loch views, her own.
Patricia Moule, Omaze Winner outside her new £4m home in Scotland.
An overjoyed Patricia said:
“It was just another Friday night really, I was just getting ready to settle down with a cup of coffee and watch a bit of tele. Then all of a sudden, I get a call and the Omaze team turns up to tell me I’ve won a £4 million house in the Scottish Highlands, I was absolutely overwhelmed!
“I made myself a nice gin and tonic to celebrate, but a stiff scotch would’ve probably been more appropriate!
“Things like this just don’t happen to people like me, I never win anything, the best thing I’ve ever won before this was a doll when I was nine years old – this definitely tops that and was worth waiting more than 70 years for!”
She added:
“I’ve been to Scotland before, as my late husband David was a golf fanatic, so we came up to play here. I know he’ll be smiling down on us now, he’d have absolutely loved this place and everything that it will do for us.
“Thanks to the £250,000 I also got as part of my win, I could afford to stay here for years if I wanted to, but I will sell it as the huge amount of money from the sale is so transformational for the family, it’s a generational legacy that means their future is now secure.”
A charity close to the winner’s heart
Patricia shared her joy that Omaze has raised £3.9 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a cause close to her heart.
“My son-in-law’s mother had Alzheimer’s and recently passed away, so we’ve seen firsthand how vital the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK is. It’s a charity that means a great deal to our whole family.”
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said:
“Everyone at Omaze is elated that Patricia and her family have won this breathtaking house in Scotland, whilst also contributing to our huge raise for Alzheimer’s Research UK, who we’ve now raised a total of £8 million for over three incredible partnerships.
“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 £85 million for good causes across the UK.”
