A Salford family are selling their 5-bed house and BMW for £2 – and you can buy a ticket
The Rowcroft family, who are planning to move to Australia in the coming months, have decided to sell tickets to win their prized assets due to selling complications arising from COVID-19.
A family in Greater Manchester are raffling off their 5-bed home and BMW for just £2.
The Rowcrofts, who are planning to move to Australia in the coming months, have decided to sell tickets to win their prized assets due to selling complications arising from COVID-19.
Their incredible competition offers ticket-holders the chance to scoop a Salford house and snazzy car – worth more than £300,000 together – for the price of a cup of a coffee.
Deals don’t come much better than that.
Childhood sweethearts Bradley and Natalie have been married for 12 years, and they’re heading Down Under in October with their three children to begin an exciting new chapter.
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However, selling their property has proven challenging in the current climate – and the couple decided to host the raffle to raise some funds before they jet off to the other side of the world.
“We decided to launch the competition as we have seen it done with another family in Yorkshire,” says 34-year-old joiner, Bradley, speaking to The Manc.
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“So, we thought – ‘why not?’
“With the current situation we was unable to sell our home. We already have our visas, so we are ready to go as soon as the house is all sorted to the new owner.”
The beautiful 5-bed Salford property was built in 1908 – boasting two bathrooms, a large kitchen, living room and separate utility room.
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There’s also off-street parking for two vehicles (including that handsome BMW), a rear patio and a spacious back garden with decking.
“We have lived in our home for 11 years,” says Bradley.
“We slowly turned it from a 3 bed to a 5 bed, and it has now been valued by a few local estate agents around £300,000.
“We’re also throwing the car in as well – a BMW 320d with additional tinted windows and refurbished black gloss wheels.”
There’s already been massive interest in the property which, once sold, will give the winner a “life-changing prize”.
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“As soon as the winner is announced, we can then start our new life in Australia,” Bradley says.
A house and a car for two quid…
That’s got to be worth a punt.
You can learn more about entering the competition here.
Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
The Manc -
5th August 2020 
