Home   Ashford   News   Article

Gwen Kiley and dad Bob, from Ashford, are flying high after winning £1 million in the EuroMillions

A family from Ashford are preparing for a once in a lifetime holiday after winning big on the EuroMillions.

Gwen Kiley, 44 and her dad, Bob, 78, will share the £1 million prize after their syndicate ticket was among the first to win in the new EuroMillions Mega Friday draw.

As well winning the lump sum, the family also received a two-week dream holiday to a private luxury island in Australia.

Winners! Gwen Kiley and her dad, Bob
Winners! Gwen Kiley and her dad, Bob

Mum Gwen is now planning for the trip with her two teenage children and some family friends, which will be the first proper overseas holiday for the family.

She said: “This is an amazing opportunity, it feels like a dream.

"The money is quite simply life-changing and the holiday experience will be beyond our wildest imagination. Not bad for a last minute decision and a couple of quid!"

Gwen added: “Years ago I went to Australia for work but the furthest the kids and I have been is a long weekend in Paris four years ago.

“This is an amazing opportunity, it feels like a dream" - Gwen Kiley

"In fact, it’s years since we’ve even taken a family holiday, let alone one on our own private island with a resident chef and staff!"

Bob, and Gwen's mum, who are not fans of flying will stay home, but are already planning on buying a new set of wheels.

Their win comes after a chance purchase when the pair agreed to go halves on a ticket for the EuroMillions draw at the end of last month.

Gwen explains: “Dad and I will occasionally play EuroMillions but it’s not very often and always with a Lucky Dip.

"Dad knew it was a big draw which is why he suggested we have a go, thank goodness he did!”

The family got the shock of their lives however when Gwen checked the ticket before leaving for work the next morning on her phone.

She saw they’d had a £2.80 win and was just about to put the ticket away when she remembered the raffle selection.

The winning ticket guaranteed the duo £1million plus a dream holiday
The winning ticket guaranteed the duo £1million plus a dream holiday

With 25 winners on the night there were quite a few lines so when their selection matched she thought she’d made a mistake, so checked a bit more closely only to see it still matched.

Gwen, a checkout supervisor at a supermarket, said: “Mum and dad live next door so I rang them and told mum that she’d better send dad around, and quickly, as I uttered those magical words, ‘I think we’ve won the lottery’.

"They were there in seconds and we all nervously waited as I put the call into Camelot to make our claim.”

The EuroMillions draw that the duo won on saw 25 guaranteed millionaires made in the UK who each all also won a private island getaway.

The holiday will see the winner and seven friends fly business class to Australia for a two-week holiday on Makepeace Island on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More