Lottery win allows builder to fulfil 'every parent's dream' for children
Terry and Caroline Gillings have set up their four daughters in their own homes after scooping the jackpot and are planning a holiday to South America and charity funding
A builder and his wife are making their £1m lottery win a family affair. Terry and Caroline Gillings have set up their four daughters in their own homes after scooping the national lottery jackpot.
Terry, 61, said: 'We've always worked hard and helped our kids where we can but this is a whole other level, every parent's dream. I'll never forget phoning our daughters to tell them that their mortgages were being paid off, it generated quite a bit of screaming and joy."
There was tragedy and joy for Terry when his dad died just two days after the win. He added: 'My dad always said celebrate the wins, that's exactly what we intend to do and I've enjoyed telling everyone I've bumped into since that we've won. I've been a builder since I left school, I can't really imagine stopping now.
"I built our dream home seven years ago so I may take a break from building for clients and instead get to work with a mate building a couple of houses. We invested in a plot years ago but didn't have the cash at the time to get on with the build. Just like that, we have."
They are also donating to Breast Cancer Awareness, a cause sadly close to their hearts after Terry lost his mum to the disease. They are also planning a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Mr Gillings, whose father had prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease, recalled telling him of the win just before he died.
He added: "I told dad we'd won a million and, true to character, his first words were 'p*** off, don't lie to us!'
"I like to think knowing Caroline and I, and the girls, were all well set up for the future meant he slipped away more peacefully.
"My dad always said celebrate the wins, that's exactly what we intend to do and I've enjoyed telling everyone I've bumped into since that we've won.
Mr Gillings has been a builder since he left school and continued to work in the days after the win but might now focus on his own project, developing a plot of land he bought with a friend some years ago.
The couple will also use money to support Breast Cancer Awareness after close family members were affected by the condition.
He said: "We've had our share of bad luck and hopefully by donating some of our win we can help other families to be luckier when it comes to this horrible disease."
His winning Lotto numbers in the March 26 draw werewere: 14, 17, 18, 22, 34 and 58.
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