A GLASGOW dad is celebrating winning £1 million after buying lottery tickets at his local Asda - for the first time in a year.
Robert Cameron matched five numbers and the Bonus Ball in the Lotto draw on Saturday, with a Lucky Dip that he initially forgot to buy.
But the 53-year-old’s lucky tale began last Friday when he passed the National Lottery counter in his local Asda store in Maryhill.
He said: “I’ve played the lottery since it began but hadn’t bought a ticket for a year or so. I always thought it would never happen to me but when I passed the counter, I thought of the recent EuroMillions jackpot winner.
“I never normally carry cash but, as fate would have it, I had £4 of change in my pocket so I thought I would try my luck for the draw that night.
“When I checked my ticket the next day, I had won £3.70. I had a bit of a chuckle to myself thinking that’s all I’d ever win but my mum always used to say, a win leads to a win.
“She always told us if you win something, take it and put it into something else so I decided I’d follow her advice and use my winnings to buy two Lucky Dips for that night’s Lotto draw.”
But after a busy day out, Robert got back home and put his feet up only to realise he had forgotten to buy his tickets.
“I’d just got settled in for the night when I remembered I hadn’t gone to the shop for the tickets,” he said.
“Then I got a call from my youngest son asking if I would go and pick him up. I decided seeing as I was heading back out again anyway, I may as well nip into Asda and get the Lucky Dips. And I’m so glad I did.”
Being "dad’s taxi" paid off for Robert when he checked the tickets the next morning.
He said: “I just went about my usual routine and then thought I better check those tickets. I always check on the app and of course, the same congratulations message popped up as the day before.
“I expected to see something similar and when I looked at first, I thought it said £1000. I was still half asleep, so I looked again and thought no it’s £100,000.
"It took a third look for me to realise I was a millionaire. I even googled the winning numbers to double check.”
Robert then called the National Lottery Line to verify his win, and the first person he told was his youngest son…but it took a while to convince him it was true.
“I have a great relationship with my four sons, but I am always joking with them so when I told my youngest, he didn’t believe me at first", Robert said.
“It took me half an hour to convince him it was real. I couldn’t quite believe it myself. I think I’m still in shock.
“I want to be thoughtful with how I use the money and do things that will be good for my family. I am so grateful I followed my mum’s advice – I feel like my luck was thanks to her looking down on me.”
