Bricklayer, 21, who won £10K a month for 30 years on Set For Life Lottery kept win secret from all his pals
A BRICKLAYER who won £10,000-a-month for 30 years on the Lotto managed to keep his huge win a secret from all his pals.
James Evans, 21, a block paver from South Derbyshire, has finally spilled the beans after bagging the prize just after Christmas.
The overjoyed youngster said he didn’t know what to do after realising he had secured a life-changing amount of money, and getting his mum to double check the ticket.
He revealed: “I felt really overwhelmed so I decided to go rock climbing. I am really into sports and rock climb regularly.
“I spent the summer climbing at the Peak District and I have been missing my sports during the pandemic.
“Whilst climbing, I ended up bumping into one of my best friends and his girlfriend, who were also climbing but I didn’t tell them about my win – I didn’t know what to do!”
Even a few days later he had still only told close family, managing to keep the secret while playing games with pals online on New Year’s Eve.
He said: “I had a great evening with all of my friends but I was adamant I wasn’t going to tell anyone as it still didn’t feel real – it was really difficult not to slip up!
“I have since told all of my friends and they are so happy and shocked.”
James is still going to stay living with his parents despite the extra money coming in from the Set For Life Lottery, and plans to keep working for his dad.
‘OVERWHELMED’
He is keen to use the cash to travel more, when able, saying: “After the win had sunk in a bit more, I started to think about all of the things I could do and buy.
“My first thought was a skiing trip to Canada with my family. I would also love to go to Alaska, I will definitely take a trip of a lifetime there when it’s safe to travel again.
“There isn’t anything I need or want at the moment, although I have been eyeing up a new computer. I haven’t been able to play any of my sports due to the pandemic so having my Playstation has kept me busy.
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“I never thought I would actually win, but you have to be in it to win it, as they say.”
James bought his winning Set For Life Lucky Dip ticket, online via the National Lottery app.
The winning Set For Life numbers for the draw on Monday 28 December, 2020 were 2, 4, 22, 37, 45, and the Life Ball was 10.
