[jw]

http://www.whatsondalian.com/news-10...r-charity.html

A gambler who bet that tennis star Roger Federer would win the Wimbledon title seven times could receive more than £100,000 from beyond the grave.

Nick Newlife staked a bet of £1,520 on the Swiss ace to clinch seven Wimbledon singles' titles at odds of 66/1 back in 2003.

The punter, from Oxford, died in February 2009 at the age of 59, denying him the chance of seeing his long-range wager come to fruition.

More ... from an older link.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...m-in-will.html

GAMBLER Nick Newlife could hand a charity £340,000 from beyond the grave - thanks to a series of long-range BETS.

Nick, who died a year ago at the age of 69, staked the canny tennis and cricket wagers with bookmakers William Hill way back in 2003.

The bachelor then left everything to Oxfam in his will - including proceeds from the outstanding bets.
One has already earned the charity £16,750 after his £250 flutter at 66/1 on Swiss tennis king Roger Federer winning his 14th Grand Slam came good last year.

Further wagers include another on six-times winner Federer netting a seventh Wimbledon title - and backing West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan to reach 7,000 runs. He has already notched up 5,759.

Oxfam stands to net a grand total of £339,240 from Hills if all landlord Nick's bets pay out - giving a huge boost to thousands starving worldwide.

The cash would buy emergency rations for 46,000 people, safe water for 350,000, or 12,800 goats.
Bearded Nick, of Tackley near Oxford, staked £4,420 on his long-range bets.

He tipped Lewis Hamilton for F1 glory before he won a race and bet on Federer after the champ's first Wimbledon win in 2003.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "Mr Newlife was clearly an excellent judge of sporting potential. He identified Federer and Sarwan as future greats well before others. There is always a danger with a long-term bet that the punter might not be around to profit when the gamble eventually pays off.

"It was extraordinarily generous and far-seeing to ensure his winnings would go to a worthy cause if he couldn't benefit in person."

One bet that might not pay off backs US tennis ace Andy Roddick to win seven Grand Slams by 2020. He has so far won one.

In his will, Nick also left his entire estate worth £314,000 - mainly made up of property - to Oxfam.

Oxfam fundraiser Cathy Ferrier said: "We're enormously grateful to Mr Newlife, and will be keeping a close eye on Wimbledon this year. Every time someone leaves us a gift it makes a huge difference."

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