"It's made my year": Worksop builder wins £86,000 sports car moments after rescuing baby squirrel
A Worksop builder has scooped an £86,000 supercar just moments after rescuing a baby squirrel on his morning run.
Darren Bayliss won a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 courtesy of competition firm BOTB’s 23p competition after returning home from a run where he stopped to help the stranded animal.
After spotting the baby squirrel lying alone on the ground, Darren picked it up and took it to a wildlife rescue centre.
It was something he had done before after discovering a baby pigeon in distress.
Unaware of what was about to happen, Darren was then surprised at home by BOTB presenter Sean Hall, who revealed his new set of wheels parked nearby.
Darren said: “Wow, I love cars and this is fantastic.
“Me rescuing that squirrel is why this happened, I’m really happy.
“It’s a beautiful car, and I couldn’t have played for a nicer one, it’s made my year.
“I love German cars and I’m a big Porsche fan.
“I’ve even been over to the Porsche garage in Germany.”
The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a high-performance, track-focused sports car, boasting a 4.0-litre engine producing around 400bhp.
Clearly impressed, Darren wasted no time getting behind the wheel, firing up the engine as Sean talked him through some of its standout features.
Darren joked: “I might get a few points driving this.”
Despite his excitement, Darren admitted he’s still weighing up whether to keep the car or take the cash alternative.
He continued: “I’ve been looking at an old barn in Lincolnshire to convert and it might take a few quid to do it up, so the cash would come in handy.”
Sean said Darren’s win felt particularly well-earned.
He said: “He was absolutely buzzing and completely taken aback when we told him.
“And hearing he’d just rescued a baby squirrel beforehand, it definitely feels like a bit of good karma had come his way.
“It’s a serious bit of kit and one of the best cars you can get for both track and road.
“Whether he keeps it or takes the cash, it’s a pretty incredible reward for his good deed, and it sounds like he’s got some exciting plans either way.”
BOTB hands over the keys to a dream car each week, while also offering players the option of a cash alternative and a range of lifestyle prizes.
It is also currently offering people the chance to win a luxury four-bedroom home in Brentwood in Essex worth £1.2m in a competition costing just £1.
To see Darren’s reaction, alongside a host of other lucky winners, head over to BOTB.com