£1Million prize puts Neil on track to buy his own locomotive
Hereford man Neil Leighton is on track to fulfil his dream of owning a steam train after winning an incredible £1Million top prize on a National Lottery Instant Win Game.
Neil, 25, has been in love with steam locomotives since he was a child, but the idea of owning one has always seemed like a fantasy. He said, “If someone had told me 2 weeks ago I would be in a position to own a steam train I’d have laughed, but then if someone had told me I’d be a millionaire I’d also have laughed – it just goes to show, magic can happen!”
Top of Neil’s to-buy list is his own home where he can have a room dedicated to his passion. He added, “And maybe one day, if I’m wise with this win, I’ll swap the train room for my very own steam train.”
Neil’s millionaire adventure began during a group call to friends on a Monday night. He said, “I was in my man cave – otherwise known as the shed in the garden – having a very chilled evening, enjoying a drink and chatting to friends in the UK and the States. Having downloaded the National Lottery app just 2 days previously, I was also aimlessly playing the Cash Bolt Christmas Millionaire game on my phone. It wasn’t until all the spins had completed that I even looked at the screen where I saw a message ‘Congratulations You’ve Won £1Million’. At which point I said to my friends ‘I’ve won a million’ and left the chat.”
Neil tried to confirm his win by calling The National Lottery, but the phone lines had already closed as it was late. The next day, after learning he had indeed won an incredible prize, Neil shared the news with his parents. He said, “I walked into the house and my mum and dad both jokingly said I looked far too happy, what had I been buying? When I told them I’d bought something, a National Lottery Instant Win Game, and I’d won £1Million, Mum screamed, used some colourful language and then was convinced it was a scam.”
Neil intends to treat his family to a few surprises in the run up to Christmas. He’s also got some travel ideas and plans to get a driving licence.
He said, “I’m currently tempted by Canada. It’s just crazy to think that I can do that now without saving for years. The same goes for driving lessons. I’ve always put it off due to the cost but now I can finally get behind the wheel, and once passed, actually buy a car.
“I’m not giving up work, I think for now I will continue to enjoy my job and mull over the exciting next steps.”
14th December 2023
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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