Shropshire man who was once given two days to live amid sepsis ordeal wins Audi sports car

A Shropshire man once given just two days to live is celebrating after winning a high-powered sports car worth around £65,000.

Mark Ryder has taken home an Audi RS3 Carbon Black Edition just weeks after returning home following a two-month stay in hospital due to developing sepsis and a brain infection.

The 55-year-old from Broseley was left speechless when he was surprised outside his home with the 400bhp car, describing the prize as "the icing on the cake" after surviving the life-threatening illness.

The win came via online competition company BOTB which gives cars, or their cash equivalent, to winners every week.

Mark said: "This is unbelievable and I can't get my head around it. I've come through a lot and to win this is just the icing on the cake."

Mark, who previously worked as a scaffolder, is currently without a car and has only had access to a work van which he has been unable to use while recovering from his illness.

Still undergoing routine check-ups as part of his recovery, he said the prize felt like a welcome slice of good fortune after an incredibly difficult few months.

"When I was told I had two days to live, something in my head said I can pull through this. It's given me some much-needed luck," he added.

"I never thought I would win anything like this. As soon as I came around the corner, I knew I was going to take the car. I'd never own one like this otherwise. When the BOTB drove away I thought I had just dreamt it."

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BOTB presenter Nicole Jeffery, who handed over the keys to Mark, added: "Seeing Mark's reaction was incredibly special.

"He was completely stunned when he realised the Audi was his and moments like that are exactly why we love doing these surprise reveals. After everything he's been through over the last few months, it couldn't have gone to a more deserving winner.

"To hear that he'd spent two months in hospital, had only been home for a couple of weeks and is now able to celebrate something so positive made this a really emotional visit."