Dawid Szulc, a Polish train conductor who had lived in the UK for 20 years, won a £1.8 million house, a Land Rover Defender, and £25,000 cash from Elite Competitions on May 31. He has already sold the car and plans to sell the house, aiming to move back to Poland to be near family and lifelong friends. Szulc described the win as a shock that made his “biggest dream” of returning home possible, according to the competition organizer.

£1.8M Prize Ends a 20-Year Wait to Go Home

Szulc, 39, moved from southwest Poland to Britain in 2005 at age 18, returned to Poland for university, then settled permanently in Crewe, Cheshire,in 2015. Despite two decades abroad, he told Elite Competitions he always hoped to go back but was held back by a mortgage, work, and responsibilities. The prize, reported by Elite Competitions, removed those barriers overnight. “With one phone call, it all became possible,” Szulc said.

Why Szulc Sold the Land Rover Defender Before the House

Within days of the win, Szulc sold the Land Rover Defender, a prized vehicle in the prize package, to kickstart his return plan. He is now listing the fully-furnished Lancashire mansion, hoping to convert the entire £1.8 million prize into cash for a fresh start in Poland. The speed of the sale underscores his determination: the car was a symbol of the win, but the house was never the goal—reuniting with his mother and father in Poland was.

The May 31 Call That Lifted a “Weight Off My Shoulders”

Szulc was at home in Crewe watching television when he noticed missed calls and messages from Elite Competitions. After watching a replay of the live draw, he realized his life had changed. “I feel such a relief, like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” he told the competition organizer. His partner Kamila and eight-year-old daughter Amelia stayed awake until midnight celebrating, and his mother in Poland broke down in tears when she heard the news.

An August Birthday in Poznań, a Permanent Move Ahead

The family is planning a two-week trip to Poznań in August, where Szulc will celebrate his 40th birthday surrounded by close friends and relatives . He hopes a permanent relocation will follow within the next couple of years. Elite Competitions CEO Alex Beckett said it was clear from their first conversation that “this wasn’t about cars or houses” but about being closer to loved ones. Szulc now feels “very light” and believes the win allows him to focus on what matters: his daughter’s future and family togetherness.

What remains unknown, as the source report notes, is who will buy the Lancashire mansion and at what price. Szulc has not disclosed the property’s exact location or list price, leaving the final chapter of his prize story unwritten. The move also raises questions about how quickly he can transfer his life and train conductor career—though for now, financial security has made patience easier.