Retired Chichester IT worker takes home £1m lottery prize
A retired IT worker from Chichester has won £1 million on a National Lottery instant win game, marking a life-changing moment after years of playing.
The woman, who is in her 60s and has remained anonymous, scooped the prize on Tuesday, April 21.
This was thanks to the ‘Black Pearl’ Instant Win Game, which is available to play on the National Lottery website and app. It costs £5 to play and offers a 1 in 2.74 overall chance of winning a prize.
The mystery winner now plans to use the money to fund a replacement car, a holiday abroad, and to support her son with upcoming wedding costs.
Speaking about the moment she realised she had won, the retired IT worker said: “I was absolutely stunned. It took me 45 minutes to believe it was real. Now time has passed it’s more believable, but still so surreal.”
Liz Styles, Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, praised the winner’s persistence.
She said: “Congratulations to our mystery winner. Determination pays off, and in this case to the tune of £1,000,000! We wish you all the best, and your son all the luck in the world for his wedding.”
The National Lottery said its games ‘continue to contribute significantly to public funding’ – generating ‘around £33 million each week for projects across the UK’.
Since its launch, more than £53 billion has been raised for good causes, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and sports to community groups and heritage preservation.