Fixing up house and helping family on Lotto winner’s list

An Invercargill woman who forgot to buy her regular Lotto ticket is still reeling from the excitement of winning $500,000 with Lotto First Division.

The regular Lotto player sat down to watch TV last Wednesday evening when she realised she hadn’t bought her ticket for that night’s draw.

‘‘I had it in my head that it was Tuesday and I was going to buy my ticket the next day,’’ the winner said.

‘‘So when I saw the draw come on TV that I night I was kicking myself that I hadn’t bought my ticket – but then I had a bonus ticket,’’ she said.

After scribbling down the winning numbers, the woman went to hunt for the free ticket she’d won with her Lotto ticket the previous Saturday.

‘‘I looked at the first line of my bonus ticket and the numbers matched – it was as clear as day. I was absolutely stunned – I just couldn’t believe it. I kept checking the numbers over and over again.’’

After calling her daughter to share the news, she tucked the ticket under her mattress.

‘‘I couldn’t sleep at all that night – so many things were going through my head. I finally got up at 4am to check my ticket again – and it was still a winner.’’

With the winnings in her bank account, the woman knows what she wants to spend it on.

‘‘There are so many things I want to do. Fix up the house, help out my family and do a bit of travel. I’m so excited to finally do the things I’ve been putting off – I feel very, very lucky.’’

The winning ticket was sold at Elles Rd New World in Invercargill.