The question that everyone asks when talking about the lottery is “what would you do if you won?”
The Daily Mail usually sets my teeth on edge, but this time their feature on the 25 winners who hit the jackpot over 25 consecutive years of The National Lottery was well worth a read.
The good news is that the people featured on the list didn’t fall victim to the ‘Lottery curse’. It’s all happiness and life-changing moments.
Below, our top five stories from the UK National Lottery:
5. A Mercedes And A Porsche
Sarah Ibbetson, 41, won £3 013 767 on July 20, 2002. She was on maternity leave when she realised that she was a millionaire.
We were only 24 and the first things we bought were a Mercedes and a Porsche. When the guy asked how we’d pay, and we said debit card, his face was a picture.
We made the Sunday Times Rich List, and we’ve still got a copy. We went from a three-bed semi to a five-bed detached, and started our own number-plate business.
People in the UK can now officially blame the National Lottery for personalised number plates.
4. The Shock Sent This Winner Into Labour A Month Early
Natalie Metcalf, 38, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, won £1 million on EuroMillions on February 1 this year.
I was eight months pregnant when I won, and I could only have a few tiny sips of champagne that night.
The next day, we viewed a new house — and I went into labour a month early. I’m convinced it was the shock.
That’s her daughter’s college fund sorted.
3. Boob Jobs For Everyone
Sarah Cockings, 36, won £3 045 705 on April 30, 2005. She bought a house and a car and studied towards a university degree.
Just after I won, I bought my two sisters boob jobs. But now I’ve had one myself, because mine were wrecked by breastfeeding. I love them!
We’re happy for you, Sarah.
2. A Yacht, because why not?
Deana Sampson, 58, won £5 439 681 on October 5, 1996.
I had £3.60 in my bank account when I won, I was working as a hairdresser and living in a council house. I bought my parents a bungalow two weeks after the win, and took 22 family members on a luxury holiday to Jamaica.
I spent £800,000 on a beautiful yacht which was delivered on my 40th birthday. I was dining at a restaurant in Majorca with family and friends when the new boat sailed into view — and it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment.
I just hope she’s taken into account how much it costs to keep a yacht.
Finally, our personal favourite:
1. He quit his job immediately
Ray Wragg, 81, from Sheffield won £7 649 520 on January 22, 2000.
South African lottery winners have a tendency to keep working even if their winnings allow for early retirement. As an office that’s all about living the holiday, we find this very upsetting. That’s why Ray Wragg gets the top spot on our list.
The morning after the numbers came up, I rang my boss to resign. When I told him I’d had a win, he said: ‘That reminds me, I need to check my ticket.’ I replied: ‘Don’t bother, Dave — I won the lot!’
Ray, you legend.
He went on to travel with his wife, Barbara, and sent an entire school on holiday.
You can read about all 25 of the winners here.
Right, off you go to get that lottery ticket.
Who knows, maybe this week is your week.
[source:dailymail]
