Winners of biggest ever £213m EuroMillions jackpot reveal risky move that could have seen them lose the LOT
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THE winners of the largest ever EuroMillions jackpot have revealed the risky step they took after receiving the life-changing news.
After winning a staggering £213,000,000, a family syndicate took a unique measure to protect their golden ticket.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
The winners of the largest ever EuroMillions jackpot shared the unique way they protected their ticket (stock image)
Credit: Alamy
The family, who won the money as a syndicate, described the experience as "surreal".
Their good fortune came about as one of the family members ran an errand in Co. Cork and decided to buy a EuroMillions ticket.
"Although I'm a regular player, I hadn't bought a ticket for the last two draws. I picked one up and honestly, didn't think much of it," they said.
The impromptu purchase changed the family's lives forever.
"I was watching the Nine O'Clock News and saw that someone in Ireland had the winning EuroMillions ticket," the lucky winner continued.
"So naturally, I got my ticket and scanned it on the National Lottery app, and a message popped up, 'You've won big, contact the National Lottery.'"
"I ran upstairs to my wife who had just gone to bed and woke her up," the winner said.
"We both checked the numbers multiple times on the website."
They explained that "sleep was out of the question that night" as the disbelief turned to excitement.
The couple set an early alarm to contact the National Lottery, and soon received the life-changing confirmation.
I won the EuroMillions lucky dip and I only thought I'd scored a few pounds when I got a lottery alert
Ticket precautions
While they waited to cash in, the family took extra precautions to protect their winning ticket.
However, their unique move proved potentially risky as they concealed it within an A4 sheet before placing it under a stack of laundry.
It remained in the pile of clothes in their bedroom until it could be safely delivered to the National Lottery.
Luckily, all the family members were too overwhelmed to start household chores.
While the couple made sure not to touch the laundry, they took time to process their massive win.
Big plans
The lucky family members made a conscious effort to maintain normalcy, continuing with their daily routines despite the news.
They even sought independent legal and financial advice after handing over the winning ticket.
They revealed plans for a family getaway, and are already researching holiday homes.
"We love to travel and there's so many amazing trips we've always dreamed of that we can now make a reality," they said.
"We're already looking at holiday homes somewhere in the sun.
"We also feel incredibly fortunate now to be in a position where we can buy homes for our children too."
One syndicate member added: "I always dreamed of owning a Rolex watch, knowing that I could never afford it.
"I went window shopping last week just to have a look and couldn't believe the price tag of some of the watches.
"When I phoned my wife to tell her, she said 'sure you can buy them now if you want'. I don't think the news has really sunk in yet."
Despite the substantial win, the family shared their plans to stay normal, with one member quipping: "I'll still be having my favourite ham and cheese sambo for lunch every day!"
More Lotto stories
While the family took care of their golden ticket, not everyone has been so lucky, here's a round-up of winners who have lost their tickets.
One scratchcard winner lost out on his winnings after his dog got a hold of the ticket.
Another person who won a jackpot worth millions explained how he lost out on the money over a technicality.
And a map reveals all the current unclaimed winnings across the UK.
One family searched everywhere when they couldn't find their million-pound winning lottery ticket.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
The simple hack that means you never have to pay full price at McDonald's – it'll get you a whole meal for cheap
Plus, find out what the McDonald's chicken nuggets are made out of LOVIN IT The simple hack that means you never have to pay full price at McDonald's – it'll get you a whole meal for cheap Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WE all love a McDonald's treat, but what if we told you there's a savvy way to enjoy your favourites without ever paying full price? A genius hack shared by TikTok account @thefinancegurl is currently buzzing, revealing a simple trick to bag a Big Mac, McChicken Sandwich, or even a McNuggets meal with a side for less than a fiver. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 There is a savvy McDonald's hack that is currently getting shared on TikTok Credit: Getty Forget hunting for vouchers or waiting for special deals. This clever method uses something you already receive: your McDonald's receipt. As the finance guru herself explains: "when you get a receipt, you'll notice that there's a website address at the top where you can fill in a satisfaction survey." The process is refreshingly straightforward. READ MORE ON MCDONALD'S NOT HAPPY McDonald's hikes price of popular menu items as customers threaten to boycott Simply head to that website and fill in the 12-digit code that's on your receipt. You'll then be taken to a "super quick" customer satisfaction survey, which she assures takes "about two minutes to complete." The reward for your two minutes? A "special voucher" that is nothing short of golden. This voucher allows you to order a Big Mac plus a medium fries or a side salad for only £2.99. And if the Big Mac isn't calling your name, don't worry - "there's also alternatives you can choose from, like the McNugget meal, a McChicken sandwich or a Filet-O-Fish." McDonald's launches brand-new burger featuring never-before-seen sauce As @thefinancegurl demonstrates, all you need to do is "show your QR code at the till and state what your preference is." For her recent trip, she opted for "a McChicken sandwich with medium fries, and I got tap water, which is completely free. 'So my entire meal came to only £2.99." It's a brilliant way to enjoy a satisfying meal without stretching your budget. McDonald's receipt So next time you're at McDonald's, remember to grab that receipt - it could be your ticket to a fantastic deal. The video, which was shared on 8 June, has received 407k views and 214 comments as many rush to share their thoughts. One wrote: 'I do this everytime!! 'I take our own drinks and feed a family of five for £15.' A second added: 'Useful hack.' While a third said: 'Genius didn't know this thank you.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
All chains are BANNED in our posh English seaside village except for single high street giant – but under a strict rule
Currently, 84 percent of shops in Southwold are independent SEA YOU LATER All chains are BANNED in our posh English seaside village except for single high street giant – but under a strict rule Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PICTURESQUE seaside spot in Suffolk is championing independent brands and shops in an attempt to save small businesses. Southwold, which has earned itself the nickname Chelsea-On-Sea, has rejected high street giants like Costa Coffee and Burger King from stripping individuality from the town. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 This commitment is more than aesthetic — it's economic and cultural Credit: Alamy 3 By discouraging chain stores from its high street, Southwold has created space for independent shops, cafés, and artisans to thrive Credit: Alamy With the backing of local councils and strong community support, the town has resisted the encroachment of corporate franchises in favour of preserving it's small-town character. Waterstones was an exception to the rule and was given the green light to open, under one condition: it changed its name. The store agreed to run its business under the name of the former establishment, Southwold Books'. This commitment is more than aesthetic — it's economic and cultural. By discouraging chain stores from its high street, Southwold has created space for independent shops, cafés, and artisans to thrive. These local enterprises often source goods regionally, invest profits back into the community, and contribute to a slower, more personal style of commerce that's increasingly rare in modern retail environments. Guy Mitchell, Chair of the Southwold & District Chamber of Trade, told East Anglian Daily Times: 'We're very proud that 84 percent of shops in Southwold are independent. "It's very important that local people and visitors … continue to support those traders.' Pete Hart, who owns Chapmans Newsagents, also told the paper: "This town is loved for the way it is and if we are not careful our high street will look like any other and will lose its charm and appeal.' Across the UK, independent and family-run businesses are facing an increasingly steep uphill battle. One of the biggest issues is the soaring cost of doing business. Many small shops are grappling with inflated rents, surging energy bills, and increased supplier costs. Unlike larger retailers, they lack the scale to negotiate better deals or absorb financial shocks. On top of that, business rates remain disproportionately high for small operators, often penalising them for occupying high street locations that are vital for visibility but increasingly unaffordable. The shift in consumer behaviour also poses a significant threat. Online shopping, which boomed during the pandemic, has become the norm for many customers who are drawn to the convenience of internet browsing. James Scott, owner of Prandium Cafe told Suffolk Business: "Running an independent shop in Southwold is extremely hard. "The rental of that property is £2,500 a month. Day visitors don't always understand that overheads are too high and think that local shops are ripping them off.' RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Rare 50p coin sells for £110 after fierce bidding war – exact detail to look out for
Plus, we reveal more rare coins that could sell for £180 COINING IT Rare 50p coin sells for £110 after fierce bidding war – exact detail to look out for Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RARE 50p coin has sold for £110 after a fierce bidding war - we reveal the exact details to spot. The 2009 Kew Gardens piece was sold to one lucky punter after fighting off offers from 12 other bidders. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The Kew Gardens 50p is a desirable coin for collectors There are around 210,000 of these coins in circulation, making it a very rare find. The front of this coin has an image of the late Queen Elizabeth II, with the engraver's initials, Ian Rank-Broadley, below. But what makes this coin special is the design on the reverse. The tails side features a leafy vine wrapped around a Chinese pagoda. It also has the date of the year it was made to commemorate the anniversary. Plus, you might be able to get more than £110 for the coin. Last month, one of these coins sold for £127.08 after 16 people tried to bid for it. That makes it a whopping 254 times its face value. And earlier this week, one of these coins sold for £120 on eBay after a bidding war, with 13 offers placed. But you might not always fetch such a high sum for the piece, with one seller on eBay flogging the same coin for £34 after 11 bids. Five 50ps that could earn you thousands The Kew Gardens piece is not the only rare coin that can be worth a pretty penny. The 2009 Blue Peter piece also recently sold for £180 after 21 bids. It was released in 2009 ahead of the London Olympic games in 2012. The coin features someone doing the high jump on one side, a design created by eight-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol. The final design was chosen from over 17,000 entries as part of a Blue Peter competition. How to spot rare coins and banknotes Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds. If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value. You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers. These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch's face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note. Also, if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky, you could cash in thousands. For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes. You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick "completed and sold items" and filter by the highest value. This will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes. But bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.
