Lotto Win Hits the Right Note for Christchurch Grandmother

A Christchurch grandmother hid her winning Lotto ticket in her piano stool for nearly a month, before finally claiming her prize.

The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, won $200,000 with First Division in the special Lotto draw for Christchurch on 5 March 2011. Her ticket was sold at Bishopdale Unichem.

“I was watching the draw live on television, with my ticket in my hand, when all my numbers came up and matched the last line on the ticket!” she says.

“After triple checking my ticket, I just left it beside me on the armchair, while I tried to believe that I had actually won. I’ve been a state of shock for a few weeks now and needed to get my thinking straight”, says the happy winner.

After experiencing numerous aftershocks in the Christchurch earthquake, the grandmother, who in her eighties, thought it safe to hide her winning Lotto ticket in the sturdiest thing she could find nearby – her piano stool.

“All my things are still in the same place where they fell after the big earthquake struck, so I thought I would hide my ticket in the only thing still standing,” she says.

“I did tell a family member about the hiding place though, just in case I forgot where I had put it”, she laughed.

The winner plans on spending her winnings on a new carpet for her home, new hearing aids and a trip to a hotel with a spa pool.

“I’ve got to wait till I get the all clear from the Earthquake Commission, before I do anything, otherwise it may be a bit of a waste putting down new carpet and being told that my floor will have to be ripped out,” she says.

“I especially can’t wait to have a trip to a hotel with a spa to have a break away. “I’ve only ever been to Hamner Springs before, so it would be nice go further afield” she said.

Meanwhile, Lotto Powerball jackpotted on Saturday night, and this week’s draw will therefore be a ‘must be won’ $32 million draw. If no one wins First Division, then the jackpot will roll down to be shared amongst the next division where there are winners.

“I’m thinking I might buy another ticket for this week’s big draw, but I could be pushing my luck”, the winner added.

ENDS

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