Croydon mum scoops Ikea prize (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon mum scoops Ikea prize

12:40pm Saturday 22nd November 2008 in

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A woman will be giving her home a grand makeover after scooping thousands of pounds in a voucher giveaway by Ikea.

Helen Slater who lives in Purley won £19,362.86 for guessing the value of more than 300 new products in the 2009 Ikea catalogue. The competition was launched on a national TV advert.

As the country is tightening its purse strings, Miss Slater won the prize to spend making over her house.

In January, Miss Slater and her fiance Kevin bought their three bedroom terrace home while they prepared for the birth of their son Zach in June.

Miss Slater, 33, said: "As it turned out Kevin was working away a lot earlier in the year so we didn't have time to do very much apart from sand the floors and paint the hallway.

“Once Zach came along in June we forgot all about decorating for a while, so there is still lots left to do.

"The kitchen and bathroom are both very old so those are our two priorities. I'm really looking forward to getting rid of the old chipboard kitchen cabinets and having everything new and planned to suit us.

"The living room also needs curtains and some storage but I love my old sofas so much I don't think I can get rid of them.

“They are yellow Tomeililla ones bought from Ikea about ten years ago, and still so comfortable.”

Miss Slater entered the competition in September and received a phone call from the Ikea marketing department who told her she had won.

She said: “I was so happy that I screamed really hard. It was just the perfect prize as I have lots of stuff to do around the house while I am on maternity leave.”

Miss Slater, her fiance and baby Zach went to the Ikea store in Purley Way in Croydon to collect the prize.

Miss Slater added: “The staff were ever so sweet and friendly. The first thing I am going to do is fix my kitchen then I will take it from there.”

• For an essential online guide to saving money during the credit crunch visit yourlocalguardian.co.uk/money