Life changing

‘Luckiest’ man lands £1Million Scratchcard

A couple from Newcastle can finally give their two autistic children the life they have dreamed about after winning a top prize of £1,000,000 on a National Lottery Scratchcard.

Darren Donaghey, 33, feels like the luckiest man after first winning over his beautiful wife Kate, 28, and now winning £1Million.

In 2014, Darren made headlines when he won a radio competition called "Punching Above Your Weight" thanks to landing his stunning wife. Now he's been lucky again landing £1Million.

The couple say the win will transform their lives and the lives of their three year-old daughter and six year-old son, who both have autism.

Popped out for milk, landed £1Million

Darren bought the Monopoly Classic scratchcard after it "caught his eye" while he was out buying an emergency pint of milk.

"Kate asked if I would mind popping out to buy a pint of milk as we had run out. When I was in the shop I had some spare change in my pocket and for some reason the Monopoly Classic scratchcard just caught my eye. I thought, I have got change, I will buy one," Darren explained.

"I couldn’t actually believe it when I was looking at a scratchcard which was worth £1 million...I literally had £1 million in my hand. I just screamed but I also felt numb. I just couldn't comprehend what was happening.

"We are currently in a two bedroom house and desperately need more room for the children – now all of our dreams have come true with this win. We can move to a new home, which is bigger and with more bedrooms and even create a sensory room for our daughter and son.

"Winning the lottery is something which only happens to other people. We still cannot believe this has happened to ordinary people like Kate and myself. This money will just totally change our lives and the lives of our children too."

Autism awareness

Darren added that supporting the autism charities which have offered so much help to his family will also be close to his and Kate's heart when they look at how they will spend their winnings and the people they will help out.

"We want to raise more awareness of autism and this win will help us to do this. We will also help our family as much as we possibly can too.

"Initially I think time away will be really important, so we are planning to go on a family holiday and think carefully about what our priorities will be."

14th September 2018

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,000 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

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