Munish
04-24-2007, 06:59 PM
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/5214
£25,000 JOY OF MAN WHO BET BOOKIES HE'D LIVE TO GRAND OFD AGE OF 100
A RETIRED engineer will scoop £25,000 as he turns 100 today *– thanks to a bet that he would live to see the day.
Alec Holden placed the wager 10 years ago.
At the time bookies William Hill were so confident he would not make it they offered him odds of 250-1 with a maximum bet of £100.
Now Mr Holden, who has two sons aged 70 and 60, plans to spend the winnings on a family holiday in Eastbourne where he will be “waited on hand and foot”.
Mr Holden, from Epsom in Surrey, yesterday shared his secrets for living to 100.
“I do as little work as possible, get as many holidays as I can and have porridge for breakfast,” he said. “And, of course, you need to keep breathing. That’s essential.”
He wrote to the bookies at Christmas in 1997 when, he said, he was “feeling pretty good and it was the party season”. His letter read: “I am 90 and I would very much like to place a bet on myself, that I will still be here on my 100th birthday on April 24 2007.
“If you can accept this let me know and what proof you require.”
William Hill said yesterday that even 10 years ago, it was less usual to expect people to live until 100.
Spokesman Rupert Adams said: “If someone came to us today and was 90 and asked for the same bet we would give them 10-1.
“Ten years ago, 100 years old seemed like an almost mythical number. But now a large number of people are making it to 100 and it is an easier milestone to hit with various medical improvements.
“Now we’d offer a 90-year-old odds of 250-1 to reach 110.”
He added: “This is one of those rare occasions where you will see a bookie smile when handing over the cheque.
“I am sure that Alec will get more pleasure from our letter than he will from the Queen’s. He’s extraordinary.”
Mr Holden yesterday refused to make a big deal about his birthday. “It’s only a date,” he said. “There is no difference to 101, it’s just a number really.”
But he makes sure he stays in top condition, mentally and physically. He plays a game of chess every day, running a local club, and does plenty of crosswords to keep his mind busy.
And once a week he even goes to the gym, where he has been given a free pass.
“I do exercises on the machines and I walk on the treadmill and go on the bike,” he said. “I think it’s easy to get some exercise.”
Mr Holden, who also used to work as a teacher and carpenter, added yesterday: “I had 40 cards this morning, including one from the Queen – although she didn’t bring it personally. I’m feeling fit and healthy.
“I can’t see or hear or walk so well, I’m clumsy and drop things – but otherwise I’m fine.”
His win is the third payout in the past two years, with previous punters who turned 100 winning £12,000 and £8,000.
opinion: page 10
£25,000 JOY OF MAN WHO BET BOOKIES HE'D LIVE TO GRAND OFD AGE OF 100
A RETIRED engineer will scoop £25,000 as he turns 100 today *– thanks to a bet that he would live to see the day.
Alec Holden placed the wager 10 years ago.
At the time bookies William Hill were so confident he would not make it they offered him odds of 250-1 with a maximum bet of £100.
Now Mr Holden, who has two sons aged 70 and 60, plans to spend the winnings on a family holiday in Eastbourne where he will be “waited on hand and foot”.
Mr Holden, from Epsom in Surrey, yesterday shared his secrets for living to 100.
“I do as little work as possible, get as many holidays as I can and have porridge for breakfast,” he said. “And, of course, you need to keep breathing. That’s essential.”
He wrote to the bookies at Christmas in 1997 when, he said, he was “feeling pretty good and it was the party season”. His letter read: “I am 90 and I would very much like to place a bet on myself, that I will still be here on my 100th birthday on April 24 2007.
“If you can accept this let me know and what proof you require.”
William Hill said yesterday that even 10 years ago, it was less usual to expect people to live until 100.
Spokesman Rupert Adams said: “If someone came to us today and was 90 and asked for the same bet we would give them 10-1.
“Ten years ago, 100 years old seemed like an almost mythical number. But now a large number of people are making it to 100 and it is an easier milestone to hit with various medical improvements.
“Now we’d offer a 90-year-old odds of 250-1 to reach 110.”
He added: “This is one of those rare occasions where you will see a bookie smile when handing over the cheque.
“I am sure that Alec will get more pleasure from our letter than he will from the Queen’s. He’s extraordinary.”
Mr Holden yesterday refused to make a big deal about his birthday. “It’s only a date,” he said. “There is no difference to 101, it’s just a number really.”
But he makes sure he stays in top condition, mentally and physically. He plays a game of chess every day, running a local club, and does plenty of crosswords to keep his mind busy.
And once a week he even goes to the gym, where he has been given a free pass.
“I do exercises on the machines and I walk on the treadmill and go on the bike,” he said. “I think it’s easy to get some exercise.”
Mr Holden, who also used to work as a teacher and carpenter, added yesterday: “I had 40 cards this morning, including one from the Queen – although she didn’t bring it personally. I’m feeling fit and healthy.
“I can’t see or hear or walk so well, I’m clumsy and drop things – but otherwise I’m fine.”
His win is the third payout in the past two years, with previous punters who turned 100 winning £12,000 and £8,000.
opinion: page 10