Fareham couple put fun back into online prize draws with new competition business Fluttabuzz

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

WHEN Laura Gilmour was made redundant from her facilities management role after 16 years, it would have been easy to wallow in self-pity.

However, the motivated mum-of-two turned her redundancy into an opportunity.

Together with husband Mike, and inspired to change dull online gaming, the pair set up Fluttabuzz and have gained hundreds of followers in their first few weeks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Their website offers prize draws and competitions with a range of prizes to suit everyone, including things for the family to enjoy together.

Laura and Mike Gilmour with their son, ThomasLaura and Mike Gilmour with their son, Thomas
Laura and Mike Gilmour with their son, Thomas

Mike, 39, from Fareham, said: ‘When Laura was made redundant we thought it was a good opportunity to try and do something for ourselves.

‘We thought there was a niche for a competition prize draw site that had a bit more of a fun feel to it. There were a few existing already but these were a bit dull and we wanted to make ours fun, turn it into a bit of an event, and offer aspirational prizes that everyone would be interested in.’

Read More
Garden centre prepares to open its doors after huge refurbishment from new owner

The pair launched the business last month and have run numerous prize draws so far, including for PlayStation 5s, Dyson Airwraps, gift cards, gin, tablets, speakers, and more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Laura and Mike GilmourLaura and Mike Gilmour
Laura and Mike Gilmour

Their Facebook page hosts the draws via a live video, with the winners drawn out by random number generating software.

Mike, who is presenting the draws in his spare time from his full-time telecoms sales job, said: ‘It is very early days but we have been taken aback how exciting it has been and by how everyone has joined in.

‘We are growing really quickly. It has been really popular. With all the doom and gloom around, and with people staying in more, it is nice to give people that bit of excitement and an opportunity to win some amazing prizes.’

All entrants to the competitions have to be 18 or over, from the UK and they must pay by debit or credit card for security.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Laura and Mike Gilmour at their home with some of the prizeLaura and Mike Gilmour at their home with some of the prize
Laura and Mike Gilmour at their home with some of the prize

As entrants have to answer a question to qualify, and as they offer a way to enter for free by post similar to television prize draws, this means the business does not have to register with the Gambling Commission as it depends on an element of skill, knowledge or judgment, however Mike said they have set up a page on their website to allow people to opt out.

He said: ‘We want to make sure that people are not spending money that they have not got. People can opt out when it stops being fun.’

He said they also differ from other less reputable sites as they have always bought the items before offering them as prizes. And they clearly state on the website how many tickets are available so that people can work out their odds.

Mike, who is also captain of Fareham Crusaders Running Club, said he hopes to be able to host charity draws as the business expands.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: ‘I was due to run the London Marathon for Mencap this year and we had lots of fundraising events planned.

‘We have not been able to hold those big social events. When we are bigger we will open it up to charity fundraisers, so they can hold their charity raffles and sell tickets, without the need to physically be at events, which might not be possible for some time.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice