A WA man given just months to live says a surprise $772,000 Saturday Lotto windfall means he can now “go out with a smile” knowing his family will be looked after.
The man, aged in his 50s, and his wife are reflecting on the bittersweet win after claiming one of eight division one prizes nationally in last weekend’s draw, sharing in a $6 million jackpot.
“I was well prepared with no debt and decent super but now I know that my family will be set up really well after this win,” he said.
The couple almost missed out altogether.
“I saw it was 5.55pm and I thought, ‘I’d better hurry up and get my Lotto tickets’,” the man said.
“I always buy two entries — one with my favourite numbers and one Slikpik.
“Usually I’d reject the first choice of random numbers and go with the second choice but because it was so close to 6pm, I went with the first choice and it was one of those entries that won.”
The winning numbers appeared on line 16 — a detail that left the couple stunned.
“We were married on the 16th and we won 10 years and one week after we were married,” the man’s wife said.
“We’ve been building lots of memories but it will be hard to top this one.
“And now I can finally say I’m married to a millionaire.”
The couple said the money would allow them to travel business class to visit family on the east coast — something they had thought was out of reach.
“We were resigned to not being able to see them, so this is very special,” the man said.
“I am glad I’ll be able to help out some of those family members who have been doing it really tough.”
Lotterywest spokeswoman Jennie Fitzhardinge said the couple’s story was one she would never forget.
“It is always moving to meet people who have won a life-changing amount of money — but there are things that money just can’t buy,” she said.
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