National Lottery joy for OAP as he scoops life-changing £300k jackpot on 74th birthday

A lucky man from Oxfordshire is celebrating the ultimate birthday bonus after having £300,000 deposited into his bank account.

Reginald Couch was expecting to celebrate his 74th birthday much like many others – with his wife of 46 years, Iris, 69, by his side, a nice slice of cake and some cards from loved ones.

But instead, he received a life-changing sum of money after winning the top prize on a Lucky Numbers Scratchcard from The National Lottery.

He said: “It was Monday morning and, as we pulled up at the shop, I joked to Iris that it was Pension day, and we could watch the money come in with one hand and out the other almost immediately.

“We both had a little chuckle before popping to Parsons Bakery to pick up some doughnuts and then into the supermarket for the papers and three National Lottery Scratchcards.

“We live a relatively quiet life and don’t drink or smoke, so we think of our Scratchcards as our treat, a bit like the Parson’s doughnuts!”

With their goodies in-hand the pair headed home and while enjoying their morning coffee Iris played the Lucky Numbers Scratchcard.

Reginald said: “Once she’d played the Scratchcard Iris turned to me and said, ‘come and check these numbers’ but kept her thumb over the prize amount.

“I looked and agreed that she had all five numbers of the game and then she removed her thumb to reveal a £3, then a nought, another nought and a ‘K’ at the end, ‘that’s £300,000’ I shouted.

“I think we were in shock because we both just sat watching the telly for another 30 minutes in silence!”

After their half-hour hiatus, Reginald and Iris agreed to back to the Tesco Express on Millbrook Square in Wantage, where the cashier double-checked the Scratchcard on The National Lottery terminal and confirmed they should call Camelot.

With the call to Camelot made and their children informed of their parents‘ amazing turn of luck, Reginald and Iris are thinking about plans for the winnings.

He said: “Iris and I met in The North Star in Steventon 53 years ago and have been together ever since, through thick and thin.

“We’ve never travelled abroad – Iris only went on a train for the first time two years ago! – so we won’t be looking for exotic holidays, instead, we are just so happy with the security this money will give us, and our family.

“Obviously family comes first so we’ll help out our children, and I’m sure there’ll be some treats for the grandchildren, the youngest of whom is only eight weeks old.

“Then we’ve got a few plans for some treats for us, I’m finally going to send my old Chevrolet truck to scrap heaven and replace it with a VW Tiguan, I’ve already got my eye on one locally.

“Then there’s a new corner sofa for the living room and Iris would like to add to her Pandora collection.”

The Lucky Numbers Scratchcard from The National Lottery has a 1 in 3.70 overall chance of winning a prize. The game costs £3 and the prizes ranged from £3 up to the top prize of £300,000.

By playing any National Lottery game, players help to raise an average of £30M every week for National Lottery Good Causes across the UK.

Thanks to National Lottery players, over £1BN is being used by charities and organisations affected by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.