Achi news desk-
In March this year, Raymond’s numbers finally came up, but he thought it was a dream at first.
The 63-year-old had initially checked his Thunderball ticket while half asleep, half realizing but not fully taking in that he had a winning ticket from the draw on 23 March 2024.
Wide awake the next morning, he assumed it had all been a dream. That is until he checked his ticket again to discover he had won the top prize of £500,000.
Raymond said: “I had woken up in the middle of the night and decided to check my random numbers, which led me to see that I had won the top prize. I must still be half asleep although, in the morning, I really thought it was all a dream.
“So, when I decided to have another check in the morning, this time fully awake, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that I was still a winner.”
Since the dream win, Raymond has enjoyed his winnings by splashing out on a new car and caravan but is now taking some time to decide how to spend the rest.
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Raymond decided that Blackpool was where he wanted to celebrate his success, as it was his favorite childhood holiday spot.
He has been visiting the seaside town for most of his life, having gone there first as a youngster with his parents and, most recently, to visit some friends who run a Bed and Breakfast.
He said: “I’ve treated myself to a new car, as I was already shopping around for one, so this made it easier for me to buy what I wanted.
“I’ve also bought a static caravan, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but never been able to. I have chosen a beautiful spot on the coast so I can’t wait to start going there with my family and friends.
“For me, Blackpool is and always will be a home away from home. It has such special memories and I love visiting a few times a year.
“I’ve been going there all my life, from playing on the beach as a kid to staying with friends over the last decade, so it had to be the place I chose to celebrate my victory!”
Raymond bought his winning Thunderball ticket from the Keystore (known locally as Fordel Services), in Dalkeith, Scotland. His winning Thunderball numbers on Saturday 23rd March were: 12, 14, 17, 25, 29 and the Thunderball was 14.
