Beechmere fire victim wins car

A South Cheshire grandmother who lost all of her possessions in the Beechmere retirement complex fire two years ago has won a top-of-the-range car in a competition.

Susan Podmore, 73, lived in at Beechmere on Rolls Avenue, Crewe when it caught fire and collapsed in 2019 causing more than 100 elderly people to lose their homes and belongings.

“It’s been a dreadful two years,” she said emotionally.

“I lost all of my belongings in the fire and then the building collapsed onto my car so I literally had nothing.”

Beechmere was a three-storey complex for people aged 65 and over before it collapsed.

“My old car that got wrecked was a Suzuki and I loved it,” Susan added.

“That’s why I was playing for another one in the BOTB competitions!”

The retired dinner lady, who paid just 60p for her ticket to enter the competition, has three children and seven grandchildren and now lives in Middlewich.

“When I saw Christian standing outside I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“I knew exactly who he was because I’ve watched all of the BOTB videos but I was shocked that he was standing there waiting for me.

“This is a really lovely thing to have happened to me after a dark couple of years. Thank you so much BOTB!”

Beechmere Aftermath - building regulations
Beechmere aftermath

BOTB hands over the keys to two new cars each week as well as a lifestyle prize.

Other recent winners have bagged £15,000 cash, a holiday to Las Vegas and a gaming tech bundle.

The company, listed on the stock market, was founded by William Hindmarch in 1999 and has given away more than £42 million worth of cars.

BOTB’s Christian, who surprises winners every week, said: “It was wonderful to meet Susan and give her the good news that she is this week’s Midweek Car Competition winner.

“Hearing all about her traumatic experience made the surprise all the more special for us all.

“I’m extremely happy we’ve been able to put a smile back on Susan’s face and wish her all the best with her brand-new wheels!”

The Beechmere blaze led to calls for a review into the standards of care and retirement home buildings and their use of sprinkler systems.

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