A SCAFFOLDER from North Wales who regularly commutes 284 miles for work has won a £42,000 Ford Transit Custom Van in an online competition.
Garry Fern won the van through BOTB and is already planning to convert it into a camper.
The 44-year-old, who works in Somerset and commutes there from his home in Caernarfon, was at his rented accommodation after finishing work when he received a surprise visit from BOTB presenter Christian Williams.
Initially, Garry - who is working on a new power station at Hinkley Point, thought it was bailiffs at the door when Christian knocked.
Christian joked to Garry he was "the opposite of a Bailiff."
"I'm not coming to take anything away, I promise," he quipped.
Garry had signed up to the BOTB Pass around a month earlier, which automatically enters members into selected competitions, meaning he had no idea what he had won when he was led down the road to where his prize was parked up.
Joined by his son, 20, Garry was stunned when he saw the vehicle waiting for him.
“Wow, no way! I can’t believe it,” he said.
Garry was then invited to get inside his new vehicle and take a look around.
“It’s amazing. I can’t wait to take it for a spin.”
The win was made even more special for Garry, who admitted he had "never won anything in his life before".
Currently without a vehicle of his own, Garry said the prize could not have come at a better time.
His wife’s car has been experiencing problems, meaning she is currently using his car.
Speaking a few days after his win, Garry said he was still struggling to believe his luck and was already considering how he could transform the van into a family adventure vehicle.
“I honestly never win anything and I don’t think it has truly sunk in,” he said.
“I was totally surprised when I saw Christian. My son immediately recognised him as he watched BOTB videos on YouTube.
“Everyone has been asking me and my sons if it is real.
“We have always wanted a camper, so we are looking at possibly converting the back of the van.”
With his birthday coming up next week, Garry said the £42,000 van was also a particularly nice early birthday present.
The Ford Transit Custom offers a car-like driving experience, advanced powertrain choices and high-end workspace practicality, making it one of the UK’s most popular vans.
Christian said: “Garry genuinely had no idea what was going on when we surprised him. Because he had only signed up to the BOTB Pass around a month ago, he didn’t even know he was entered into this competition, so seeing the van waiting for him was a complete shock.
“It’s a fantastic prize for Garry because he spends so much time travelling between North Wales and Somerset for work.
“I love the fact he’s already thinking about converting it into a camper. The Transit Custom gives him so many options, and it would be brilliant to see him turn it into something the whole family can enjoy.”
Founded in 1999, BOTB has given away prizes to over 970,000 people, including £169 million-worth of cars so far.
It is currently offering people the chance to win a three-bedroom home in London worth £1.25 million in a competition costing £1 to enter.
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