Facebook friends syndicate banks £1.1M EuroMillions win

The syndicate was the brainchild of Gary Schei from East Linton, who set it up over two and half years ago. The finance manager decided playing and winning would be more fun as part of a group so invited friends and family through Facebook to join his syndicate.

Gary said, “I really wanted to play but I thought it would be so much more rewarding if a group of people could all play together and hopefully win together. I couldn’t believe how many people wanted to take part, so each player got shares in the lines we play each week."

“The syndicate includes friends and family from far and wide – my partner Amanda, my mother, two sisters, a few neighbours, old school friends, golf buddies, friends and family of my friends – it’s a huge network of people dotted all over the country, most of whom have never even met each other but who are all in some way connected to me. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future we’ll all be able to get together and celebrate.”

When Gary checked and saw his 80th email from The National Lottery, saying ‘We Have News About Your Ticket’ he was over the moon to discover that this time they had won over one million pounds. Each member is walking away with a minimum of £21,213.07.

Gary had to wait for a call back from The National Lottery to verify the win but wanted to share the news of the win. “I sent an email to the group telling them the news but gave strict instructions not to call me as I didn’t want the phone line to be engaged. I cannot tell you how relieved I was when I received the call to confirm the win, it was an amazing moment."

“After that I spent the rest of the day with the phone permanently glued to my ear! As it was Saturday not everyone had checked their emails, so I started calling round. It was hilarious I got everything from screaming, tears, complete disbelief and stunned silence. It was so nice to be able to bring joy to so many people. One member had bought shares for his parents so they were amazed to find out they had over £40,000 coming their way!”

Gary himself had four shares so won himself a life-changing £84,852.28. Level headed as ever, Gary isn’t planning to do anything too adventurous with his winnings just yet.

He said: “It’s great to win and I think most of the money will go towards the mortgage, although there may be a little treat or two. I have a nine year old daughter so I think a holiday may be on the cards, but we’ll have to wait and see. Others in the syndicate are slightly more impulsive than me; one lady went out and bought herself her dream motorbike – a pink Harley-Davidson – while another winner sent me a picture of their credit card that they had cut up into pieces."

“The win really has made such a difference to so many people, it’s fantastic.”