Dumfriesshire dad-of-five Craig Hall scooped £30,000 on the People’s Postcode Lottery on Saturday.
The 43-year-old from of Rowanburn near Canonbie, told the Standard a family holiday is now on the cards for when pandemic restrictions are lifted.
A farmer and timber lorry driver, he was on a cab break in his lorry in Castle Douglas when he found out how much he’d won through a video call from People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Jeff Brazier.
And he said he was “gobsmacked” by the bumper prize money – which he first thought was a wind up.
On hearing the news, he told Jeff: “Thirty thousand? You are joking me."
“I thought it might be a hundred pounds, a thousand maybe but I never thought I’d be as lucky as that. I really am gobsmacked.”
Craig, who raised his hands in celebration in his cab on the Zoom call, waited until he’d finished his job before going home to share his windfall news with his “overwhelmed” wife, Vicki, and the children.
And he revealed there was some “screaming and dancing around the house”.
Craig said: “When I first got the call I thought it was my father-in-law pulling my leg – we always joke we’ll win big one day and I’ve never won anything before in my life.
“A luxury holiday will be coming up when we can get away. I’ll leave it up to Vicki to decide where – she’s the boss. The kids’ shopping lists will be growing too.”
Jeff was thrilled to be the one to break the good news.
He said: “I don’t think Craig was expecting that – what a great reaction. It was my pleasure to deliver him some good news. I’m chuffed for him and hope he has a great time treating himself and his family.”
Craig signed up to play the Postcode Lottery after seeing an advert on television and liked that he’d be helping to support good causes, with a minimum of 32 per cent of ticket sales going directly to charities.
He said: “It’s a good way of donating to charities and helping others, so I’m just pleased to help.”
Everyday throughout the February draws one postcode will be announced as a £30,000 prizewinner and, on Saturday, Craig scooped the lot as he was the only person playing with the winning postcode.
