"The money is going to make a real difference to our lives," Sean Hayes said
Credit: National Lottery
NEED TO KNOW
- A man in England won roughly $1.3 million after using the lottery numbers favored by his late dad
- Sean Hayes had been using father James’ lottery numbers from a booklet that James kept before his death in 2010
- Hayes said he played his dad’s numbers as a way to feel close to him
A man in England got more than $1 million from the lottery thanks to a set of lucky numbers left for him — in a unusual twist — by his deceased dad, officials said this week.
Sean Hayes, of Oxfordshire, won £1,000,000, or roughly $1,338,460, according to a news release by the National Lottery.
Hayes, 56, had been using father James' lottery numbers from a booklet that James kept before his death in 2010, Hayes told lottery officials.
He had played the numbers in the past, in James' honor, but lost the book for a while only to later rediscover it.
“To think that my dad chose these numbers all those years ago before he died is just unbelievable and it’s a really nice connection to my dad’s memory,” said Hayes, an avid gardener.
As for what he's going to do with the newfound fortune, Hayes plans to buy a house with his wife, Sara, and hopes to include a garden somewhere on the property.
“It would be ideal to have some green space at home,” he said.
A new car and some long-awaited traveling with his wife are also on his to-do list.
Hayes initially had some trouble nailing down his winnings: He called lottery officials to confirm his prize but wasn't able to be heard due to poor phone reception, he said.
Eventually, he managed to get a signal — describing the moment as "unbelievable." (He said he had a "few extra drinks" that night to celebrate.)
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"I'm so grateful to my dad to have chosen these numbers," Hayes said. "The money is going to make a real difference to our lives."
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or go to gamtalk.org.
Read the full article here
