A DUNFERMLINE born army veteran received a gift of a lifetime on Valentine's Day as he scooped a motorhome and cash prize worth a whopping £144,000.
Billy Allan, who represented Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in para lawn bowls, was surprised with a new Hymer ML-T CrossOver worth £123,840 when BOTB’s Christian Williams turned up at his home to tell him he was a Dream Car Competition winner.
But the surprise didn’t end there, as Christian revealed to the 66-year-old that his prize also came with £20,000 in cash stashed in the vehicle.
Billy, who served in the army for 13 years, said: “It is absolutely surreal and the news has still not properly sunk in.
“The best thing I ever won was a bottle of red wine and I didn't even drink it!
“I was waiting for a parcel so that’s what I thought it was when the door went.
“Because it was Valentine's Day my wife was moaning that I had received a new motorhome and she only got some roses,” he joked.
Scotland international bowler Billy, who lives in Cowdenbeath and is a member of Cowdenbeath Bowling Club, is planning to travel the North Coast 500 in his new vehicle – a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.
“We have done bits of the North Coast 500, but to do the full thing in this motorhome would be amazing,” he added.
Christian said: “It was lovely surprising William with such an amazing prize.
“I don’t know what his wife got him for Valentine's Day, but I think I probably beat it. It was probably the best parcel he has ever received as well!”
The ML-T is based on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis and has a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine, 188bhp and a top speed of 100mph.
It also features a fully-kitted out kitchen, including three burner cooker, fridge, sink, dining table and seating.
Christian added: “This particular ML-T is equipped with so many batteries and solar panels that you can easily go off grid for up to 10 days!
“Not only that, but it also has a double bed, kitchen, toilet... everything you need to go on a long holiday.
“I can't think of a better first adventure for the family than the North Coast 500.”
BOTB hands over the keys to a stunning dream car each week as well as a lifestyle prize. Winners have bagged Rolex watches, holidays and motorbikes in recent months.
The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £48m-worth of cars so far.
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