We all know the lottery is a game of pure chance, but sometimes it feels like the prize money has gone to someone who really deserves it.
This is true in the case of Paul Harvey, a single dad from Norfolk who just scooped £1million on the EuroMillions.
He’s had a difficult couple of years battling bowel cancer while trying to look after his teenage son and daughter.
But the 51-year-old is now hoping for some happier times with his two children after scooping the massive prize.
He claimed a £1million prize during the EuroMillions draw on July 4 – and the heartwarming moment he shared the news with his son was caught on video.
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Paul knew he wanted to capture the moment, so he set up his phone and recorded it after an agonising wait for them to get home from school.
He said: ‘It felt like forever waiting for the kids to get home from school so I could break the news.
‘Their reactions were hilarious and heart-warming. We all feel ridiculously excited and relieved in equal measure. It just doesn’t seem real!
‘I wanted to tell the kids in person so when my son got home I set up my phone to record it.
‘I got a massive lump in my throat as I asked him “how many millionaires do you know?” He said, “zero”, and I replied: “well you do now”!
‘I then added “I swear on my life” – I do like to joke but when I say those words, my kids know to take it seriously.
‘Life hasn’t always been easy, but the kids mean the world to me, and they always come first.
‘We have never been away abroad together, and I would love to take them both to Greece. But first we need to get our passports!’
As well as a dream holiday together, Paul wants to buy his daughter a second-hand car, a Fiat 500, so she can learn to drive.
He also hopes to help them kickstart their careers as they both near the end of full-time education.
Paul explained: ‘I am so proud of what the kids have achieved already in life.
‘They both have big ideas about what they want to do when they leave school, and I cannot wait to help them in their chosen careers.
‘It’s the important stuff like helping them to learn to drive and getting them a car and insurance so they can get to college and then work.
‘My daughter has a driving test later this year and I would love to get her a second-hand Fiat 500 for her to practice in.’
Paul didn’t even realise he was a millionaire for an entire week after the draw.
He checked his account as normal after the EuroMillions draw on July 4 to find he had won £5 plus a free Lucky Dip ticket.
A week later, he got an unexpected email from the National Lottery urging him to check his account again and to get in touch urgently.
Paul was suspicious of the email, explaining: ‘It didn’t look like the normal email I get. I thought this must be a scam.
‘I read the email again and then Googled the National Lottery Line where I saw the telephone numbers matched.
‘It was then that I allowed myself to get much more excited.’
It turned out Paul had won the £1million as part of the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw.
During each draw, every ticket is allocated a unique code which is entered into a raffle where one winner will take home the prize.
The huge sum is going to make a massive difference to Paul and his family’s lives.
He explained: ‘We can afford our very own home, and I can finally have my own bedroom rather than sleeping downstairs.
‘And to go on a family holiday altogether will be fantastic. I can speak Greek fluently and I can’t wait to show off to the kids.
‘I lived in Cyprus for 12 years when I was younger. I would love to go back one day but for now it’s a holiday in Greece for me and the kids.
‘This win gives us so many more options, but I want to take my time and do it right.’
Paul isn’t the only person who’s recently picked up a life-changing lottery win.
A family from Cork who won a £216million jackpot said they intend to stay in their home city – although they might treat themselves to a Rolex watch.
And two friends picked up £168,000 each after reading a horoscope which suggested a Pisces and Taurus – their star signs – would win the lottery if they entered together.
It’s not long since someone won the £208million EuroMillions jackpot, the maximum amount.
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