Imagine having the power to make millionaires. Not with a wand, but with a laptop and a very large cheque book.
The National Lottery Winners' Advisors travel all over the UK paying–out big winners. In October they had to work their socks off to keep up with the millionaire–making going on. A massive 57 millionaires were made, including a stunning 34 just on Lotto.
Kathy Garrett is one of the team of Winners' Advisors and we asked her about the mammoth millionaire–making month of October.
So Kathy, you've been busy?
It's been a whirlwind of a month. In one week alone I made NINE millionaires or multi-millionaires. We are lucky there is a strong and experienced team of Advisors and back-up in our offices, so we kept on top of it.
Did you know how busy October would be?
We knew Lotto had the big draw and we knew there would be even more millionaires made, but we never know quite how busy it will be. It can be difficult to plan as we can have giant EuroMillions winners – we had two in October – and also the GameStore winners from Scratchcards and online games who can come along at any time. Also we never know where the winners will be.
So you can travel a lot?
Each of the Winners' Advisors have their patch, but we often have to help cover each other when we are especially busy. I paid–out winners in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in one week in October. Sometimes I don’t know where I am going until the day before, I often drive, but sometimes fly and have to hire a car. We go to each winners' home so it is an adventure whenever we set off.
What is it like making millionaires?
I love every minute of it, it is fantastic to be part of a person's winning experience. Every winner is different and the win means something different to each person. But all are so excited and I am privileged to be part of it and see how it changes people’s lives.
I imagine it gets emotional?
I see all sorts of people and many are very emotional. Even when I arrive many people think it is a mistake or something will go wrong so the sense of relief when I can tell them they are a winner and arrange to pay them is huge. One couple who shared news of their win this month were James and Mary Roy from Shotts, they were very emotional. Mary was shaking at the start of process, but once she knew it was real and their life was going to change, she was laughing.
Is everyone desperate to be paid?
Most are keen to be paid as soon as possible but some have work commitments or holidays. I had one winner in October who discovered his win the morning he was flying away on holiday. We got to him the day he returned and as you can imagine he was very anxious to be paid by then.
Do you ever celebrate with the winners?
I am usually driving so can't share too much if the Champagne is opened. I am always well looked after, people are very hospitable. Particularly the Scottish and Irish, there always seems to be homemade cake served up and sandwiches for me to have on my journey back.
Any tips on winning?
Every day people say to me it doesn't happen to people like them, but it does. The team pay people from all walks of life, all across the country, every single day. To be making even more millionaires is fantastic, winning a million pounds is life changing for everybody involved.
Watch a video where Kathy reveals more about what it is like to be a Winners' Advisor.
Meet Andy Carter another National Lottery millionaire maker.
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 7,200 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.
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