Big Wednesday Prize Claimed By Gore Family

23 October 2007

$3 Million Big Wednesday Prize Claimed By Local Family In Gore

A trip to the local pizza shop transformed a local Southland family's life when they popped in to check their Big Wednesday ticket and were told that they had won a Big Wednesday prize totalling $3,078,278, says NZ Lotteries' Chief Executive, Todd McLeay.

The prize consists of a First Division win of $2,609,615 and includes the luxury prizes of an Aston Martin Vantage, an Audi Q7 and an American Express Platinum card loaded with $250,000.

"In addition, the family have also claimed a Second Division prize of $468,663 taking their total winnings to $3,078,278," says Mr McLeay.

Despite the town buzz that United Video store in Gore had sold the winning First and Second Division Big Wednesday prize, the local family were oblivious to the local gossip about possible winners.

"I just came out to get a pizza for tea and thought I'd check the ticket while I was waiting," says the mother of the family, who wishes to remain anonymous.

"I had no idea that the prize had gone to Gore and no idea that I was walking with a ticket in my handbag that was potentially worth millions," she adds.

"I think we're going to have to do some serious thinking about what to do with the money - it's such a shock at the moment. But we plan to pay off the mortgage and have a comfortable future," says the winner.

Staff at the United Video store in Gore say they are delighted for the winners and wish them all the best for the future.

"It's been such a thrill for us at the store to have sold the winning Big Wednesday ticket and I can only imagine how excited the winners must be," says one staff member.

This is the second time Big Wednesday First Division has been won in the South Island and the second time the prize has gone to Southland. Big Wednesday was struck for the first time in the South Island in August 2006 when a lucky winner who bought their ticket at Plaza Supervalue in Invercargill won $2,332,601 in cash and luxury prizes.

ENDS

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