Carer wins £1m on lottery 'by mistake'
Lynne Groves: 'It was surreal thinking all our worries were over. I thought I would be working until my late 60s.'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A carer is celebrating winning £1million ‘by mistake’ – after a shopkeeper originally printed her a ticket for the wrong draw.
Lynne Groves, 57, from Chelmsford, won big in the Lotto Millionaire Raffle on February 24.
Delighted that she can now treat her family and friends to cars and foreign holidays, the mother-of-three and grandmother to eight, is sure fate played a helping hand.
She said: “I know the family who run my local shop really well and there’s always a joke or kind word when I pop in.
“On Wednesday night I asked for my Lotto tickets and by mistake the shopkeeper ran off EuroMillion tickets, and then realising the mistake, ran off my Lotto Lucky Dip tickets a few seconds later from the machine.
“I’m sure it’s those precious moments that made me a millionaire.”
A carer for more than 30 years, Ms Groves was completing a night shift when she found out she had won.
“I was looking after a gentleman who I have known for many years,” she said.
“About midnight I made myself a cup of tea and decided to check my lottery tickets.
“I saw that the main numbers didn’t match but then I worked my way down to the Lotto Raffle, I couldn’t believe my eyes, it matched.
“It was a surreal experience thinking that all our worries were over.
“I thought I would be working until my late 60s, possibly beyond, and then thanks to one whopping dose of luck and a simple mistake, suddenly that’s all changed.”
Ms Groves bought the winning ticket at Nisa Castle Stores in Chelmsford.
She added: “I’m always joking with Pierce in the shop that when I win I’m sending him off to Australia. It’s become something of a standing joke, now that joke is a reality and Pierce is speechless, for once.
“I’m also going to give Jack who sold me the ticket something. His little mistake has had a massive impact on my family’s life so he also deserves a treat.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments