Cleland nurses scoop £1m in EuroMillions but almost miss jackpot after dates mix-up

CHAMPAGNE TREATMENT FOR HOSPITAL STAFF

A GROUP of nurses are celebrating a dose of good fortune after scooping £1million on the EuroMillions.

But the 15 colleagues, who work together in Cleland Hospital, Lanarkshire, nearly missed out their big payday because of confusion over the draw dates.

After chipping in 50p each, the syndicate members will now all receive £66,666 from the bumper win – and say it’s just what the doctor ordered.

June Fraser, 58, was stunned by their lucky break and revealed she almost didn’t check the winning ticket for the Millionaire Maker draw.

She said: “I scanned the first one and it wasn’t a winner.

“I actually thought that was the ticket for the Friday night’s draw.

“I very nearly didn’t scan the BY JEREMY ARMSTRONG reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk second one as I thought it was for a future draw.

“When I did and it told me that we’d won £1million, I thought the app must be broken – I couldn’t believe it.”

Bursting with excitement, she called the ward and managed to break the news to two colleagues who were busy with patients.

But she said she was “too hyper” to call everyone in the syndicate.

Dedicated June went into work that afternoon, pinning the winning ticket inside her uniform.

When she got back home after her shift, she hid it under her cutlery drawer to keep it safe.

The hard-working nurses are now planning how to splash their cash.

Their wishlist includes holidays – with destinations such as Sri Lanka and Canada – as well as new cars and even a motorbike.

For fellow winner Carol Hamlyn, 59, it will mean she can have the retirement she has always dreamed of. She said: “This win will be life-changing for me.

“I was going to have to keep doing a few shifts but now I have financial security and I can also look after my four children and my three grandchildren.”

The winners include Tracey Buckmaster, 29, Catherine Fisher, 54, Helen Gibson, 73, Gail Harvie, 52, Margaret Hendry, 59, Ravi Joseph, 55, Rosemary McFarlane, 48, Maureen McGarry, 61, Anne McQueen, 57, Grace McSeveney, 62, and 61-year-old Marion Ritchie.

The syndicate from the hospital – which provides long-term care for elderly patients – bought their lucky EuroMillions ticket from the Co-op store on Station Road in Shotts for the draw on April 20.

And the winners plan to continue their celebrations with cakes and goodies for patients and colleagues.