ARthuR’S £1m pAyDAy
AN 81-YEAR-OLD rugby fan who has won £1m on the EuroMillions has said he will “keep his feet on the ground” and splash out on a new three-piece suite.
Former steelworker Arthur Griffiths scooped £1m on the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw on December 15 after he bought his winning ticket when he popped out for a pint of milk.
The chorister, from North Cornelly in Bridgend, was presented with a £1m cheque yesterday at his local pub, the Green Acre Motel.
Mr Griffiths went to the One Stop shop in North Cornelly on December 15 to get a pint of milk when he decided to buy a EuroMillions ticket with his spare change.
Little did he know then that the purchase would be life-changing.
On the morning after the lottery draw, Mr Griffiths dropped his partner of one year Lorraine Rimmer to work at the motel.
“I had a coffee and thought I would check it”, Mr Griffiths said.
“I kept checking and checking and went down to the shop where I bought it and the manager checked it with me. I just couldn’t believe it.”
Mr Griffiths said he slept with the winning ticket under his pillow until the Camelot Group came to check the numbers a few days later.
The father-of-one and grandfatherof-three has bought Lottery tickets twice a week since it started in 1994 as part of a syndicate with friend and Green Acre Motel owner Michael Thomas, but said he rarely buys EuroMillions tickets.
He said he will continue to play the lottery every week.
He said: “I don’t buy the EuroMillions but I play the lottery regularly since once I stop, I know my numbers will come up!
“I went for a pint of milk and came back a millionaire.”
Despite the exciting news and the huge win, Mr Griffiths and his partner Lorraine celebrated Christmas as normal.
At the official unveiling yesterday in North Cornelly, the Wales rugby fan – who worked at Port Talbot steelworks – revealed what he plans to spend his winnings on.
He said he intends to buy a debenture seat at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and, continuing to live in the area, Mr Griffiths also plans to renovate his home.
Mr Griffiths, who has been a member of the 80-strong Kenfig Hill and District Male Voice Choir for 40 years, also said he will now buy the nicer of two three-piece suites that he had been looking at before Christmas and may consider going on a cruise.
He said: “I don’t know what will happen but I’m going to do a lot to my house.
“I don’t want to move out. “Holidays will come as we go along.
“We didn’t change our Christmas plans – not at all.”
His partner Ms Rimmer, 63, said: “I will carry on as normal. I’ve still got to keep my feet on the ground.
“It just doesn’t happen to people like us. I still have to pinch myself.”