'Sports car win felt like a gift from my late dad'

A woman who won a Lotus Emira and £100,000 cash in a competition has said she believes the prize was a gift from her late father, who adored the British sports car maker.

Claire Carty, who lives in Liverpool with her partner Stephen and their 10-year-old son, said the win "felt like fate" and it was "a gift from Dad".

"Dad was a massive Lotus fan - his first ever car was a Lotus Cortina and it was a huge part of my childhood," the 47-year-old said.

"His hero was racer Jim Clark, so it was always his dream car. When I found out I'd won this, it honestly felt like fate."

Claire, who works as a retail manager for a furniture store, said her father Michael had been forced to sell his Lotus and always dreamed of buying one again.

"I've always said everything happens for a reason – and of all the months to win with Omaze, it was the month they were giving away a Lotus. It really does feel like it was meant to be," she said.

However, although she said she loved taking the car out for a spin, she revealed she ultimately plans to sell it and bank the cash.

Claire's new Lotus Emira is the last petrol-powered sports car to be built by manufacturer.

"The £100,000 and the money I'm getting from selling the car will also make a huge difference," she said.

"I've already treated myself to a lovely BMW X3 M Sport – it's amazing and fits the whole family in very comfortably.

"I do a lot of miles for work so it's really lovely to have something newer and reliable."

She said the win was "completely life changing" and she also planned to make home improvements, take her son to Disney World and book a trip to Hawaii.

"This win is going to make a big difference to our family. We're going to have a lot of fun," she said.

The prize was part of the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, which supported breast cancer research charity Breast Cancer Now.

James Oakes, president of Omaze, said: "We're delighted that Claire got to fulfil her late father's dream of owning a Lotus again, and we're thrilled this win will help her and her family make some wonderful memories together."

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