A LOTTERY jackpot winner initially ignored their £1million prize money because they thought they’d won just a small prize.
Marion Wood and her pal Michael Williams pocketed £500,000 apiece after the syndicate they had together matched five main numbers and the bonus ball on the National Lottery.
The pair, living in Northampton but both originally from Wales, initially thought they had won just £1,000 in the lotto draw for March 12, 2022.
Sitting in the living room, NHS worker Marion shouted the digits on the ticket through to Michael in the kitchen.
Michael yelled "yes" five times before squealing in excitement as he realised the size of their prize.
Hospitals run out of oxygen and mortuaries full amid NHS chaos
Marion said: "I started to shout out the numbers on my ticket and he shouted 'yes', then 'yes', then another 'yes' and then his voice changed - in fact he squeaked.
"There was another 'yes' and the final 'yes' was followed by a 'can you come here please?'"
Marion got up and went to the kitchen and Michael showed her the computer screen, but she thought the amount was just £1,000.
However, retired construction worker Michael stressed: "It's a million."
Marion said: "I looked, looked again. Michael was going through the numbers one by one, and he kept on saying 'it’s a million, it’s a million'.
"I said ‘I don’t know what a million in numbers looks like'."
The stunned pair sat in silence before making a cup of tea as they let the life-changing news sink in.
But it was late in the evening so they had to wait until the following day to confirm their win.
Marion said: "I’m a big tea drinker, so we had a cup of tea and sat in stunned silence as we absorbed what had just happened.
"I didn’t tell a soul at first, I just carried on as normal holding onto the lucky ticket wherever I went.
Mystic Mag's 2023 predictions include strikes, sleaze, self pity and separation
"I kept the ticket in my diary, which I keep in my purse, until the lady from Camelot visited to check it and confirmed that Michael and I actually were big winners.
"Even now it still hasn’t completely sunk in, but seeing our names on the big cheque has definitely made it feel more real."
'TASTE FOR CHAMPAGNE'
Asked how they will celebrate, Marion said she was still "unsure" but revealed she was "getting a taste for champagne after sipping it since the win".
She added: "I want to carry on as normal for a bit. I’m from an army family and routine is important to me so I think I’ll just let my head get around it first.
"I might treat myself to some jewellery, it will be nice to have something special to remember how I felt when I won."
Rugby-mad Michael said he planned to treat himself a car for the first time in 41 years.
The dad-of-three said: "I retired last year and haven’t had a car since 1981, so I think it’s time I get myself my own set of wheels.
"I’m also a big rugby fan and have followed Wales all my life, so will get myself some rugby memorabilia.
"Finally, I’ll also treat my family. They’ve been good to me and it will be lovely to do something nice for them."
Even now it still hasn’t completely sunk in, but seeing our names on the big cheque has definitely made it feel more real
Marion Wood
Marion finished: "Whatever we do we’ll be wise and make things comfortable, it’s an amazing amount to enable Michael and I to have security at this time of life."
Marion, originally from Caerphilly, Wales, bought the life-changing Lotto ticket for the March 12 draw from a Northampton Morrisons.
She and Michael matched five main numbers - 7, 13, 21, 23, 44 - plus the Bonus Ball 16 using friends and family member's birthdays.
The other main number in the draw was 39.
