Winners

Couple discover National Lottery win after returning from wine tasting

When family and friends ask her about her amazing National Lottery win, Ellie Land likes to joke that she “spent a penny and won a million!”

The story of how Ellie, 41, and her partner Karl Ward, 43, scooped a £1Million prize on EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker, begins at the supermarket in Norwich where Ellie works.

She said, “We had popped into Asda on the way home from visiting friends to grab some bread and milk. Karl waited for me while I went to use the bathroom, and when I came out he was by The National Lottery counter so I decided to get a EuroMillions ticket for the draw that night.

“I don’t always play, just on a whim, so when my colleague wished me luck, I laughed and said ‘if I win something I’ll treat you.’ Little did I think then that we’d win £1Million. I’ll certainly be going back with a little something for her!”

Ellie and Karl didn’t discover they’d become National Lottery millionaires until Sunday evening when they returned from a wine tasting event in Norwich. Settling down with a cup of tea, Ellie used the National Lottery app to check her ticket. The result: a message congratulating her on a £1Million win.

When Ellie’s mum walked into the room she was greeted by 2 stunned faces. Ellie said, “I’ve just won a million pounds!”

Recounting the scene Karl said, “It was a crazy moment, we just laughed and then sat in stunned silence. We realised that the National Lottery claim line was closed, so agreed Ellie would call first thing in the morning and then ‘enjoyed’ a sleepless night repeatedly saying to one another ‘is this real?’.”

The incredible win was confirmed early the following morning, allowing a stunned Ellie to get to work by 9.30am. The couple have no intention of giving up work or changing their Christmas plans and are looking forward to celebrating the festive season with family and friends.

Ellie and Karl have been together for 20 years, so one very special item on the agenda for 2023 is a wedding.

Ellie said, “The wedding is top of our list, but the children also have a few requests. Our son is looking forward to receiving a PS5, just as soon as we can find one, while our daughter loves Disney so I think we will enjoy our first holiday abroad with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disneyland.”

The couple are also planning to discover some new varieties of wine. Elle said, “Perhaps we will go to France, or even further afield, for a little wine tasting in the vineyards as opposed to St Andrews Hall in Norwich!”

20th December 2022

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,400 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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