Campervans—you don’t know you want one until you experience the magic and, more specifically, the sense of freedom they bring. That’s how VannyCampers began.

 

 

Building the Dream

Over several years, I purchased a van and slowly transformed it into a camper named Vanny. Living month-to-month and managing debt, I saved up for each major component, which often took months to afford. I remember being astounded by the fridge costing over £500; this was the only way to make my dream a reality.

At the time, I was working as a primary school teacher and living in Wales. I was nearing the end of a four-year journey to complete the camper, with the final task being a paint job using Raptor Upol paint—a durable, protective coating typically used on off-road vehicles. The process involved prepping and painting one side, then pulling the van out of the garden, turning it around, and driving it back in to prep and paint the other side.

Throughout its build journey, the van was used for overnight stays, surf trips, and even weddings or events like Glastonbury. It was cherished, to say the least.

 

 

- It was tough, to say the least. -

 

The Pandemic Shift

On the first day of lockdown, I moved to a one-bedroom flat in Bristol and, like the rest of the world, found myself confined inside. It was tough, to say the least. Furloughed from two different schools, I suddenly had a lot of free time and wasn’t in need of work in the way I had been accustomed to. I kept busy with excessive exercise, tiring my body, but my mind still felt unfocused. I needed something more.

During this time, I came across a house being raffled off in a prize draw and, out of curiosity, looked into the process. The more I learned, the simpler and more appealing the idea seemed. I thought about it for a while and realized I could offer people a chance to win a camper, making a dream accessible with a low entry cost—a win-win situation.

 

- We sold over 3,000 tickets in the first 24 hours -

 

First Camper Competition

After extensive research, I found a developer to create a website and set up social media pages. We listed the van for £1.20 a ticket (I aimed for £1 but added 20p to cover the card fee, so everyone could have an affordable chance to enter). When we went live, it was unbelievable.

We sold over 3,000 tickets in the first 24 hours—I was in disbelief. Everyone loved the idea, embraced Vanny’s story, and offered incredible support. I was in awe of the positivity, although we also received some harsh comments and messages accusing us of running a scam. We take transparency seriously, so we addressed each question and followed all legal guidelines to reassure everyone.

The competition ran its course. Initially planned for two months, it sold over 24,000 tickets in five weeks. I closed the competition, selected a winner, and even donated some of the proceeds to charity as a bonus. It was a magical experience!

 

“I’ll try it one more time, just in case it wasn’t a fluke…”

 

Finding Freedom and Sharing It

This entire journey was life-changing for me, something I’m thankful for every day. Being on a debt management program and struggling to make ends meet, I was finally able to clear my debts—something I never thought would be possible.

At the time, people asked, “Will you go back to teaching now?” I replied, “I’ll try it one more time, just in case it wasn’t a fluke…” Today, VannyCampers is the world’s largest exclusive camper competition company, with hundreds of winners, thousands donated to charity, and over 65 campervans out on the road, all won by lucky individuals.

We’re truly blessed to give you the chance to win your dreams. I’ve found mine, and I thank you all every day for being part of it. If you’re ready to experience the freedom of campervan life, stay tuned for our next competition and join us on social media to keep up with all the latest!

 

 

Ryan B
Director & CEO of VannyCampers Ltd