The UK’s  National Lottery Celebrates its 30th Birthday

Today is a very special one for the UK’s National Lottery. It was 30 years ago today that the very first UK Lotto draw was held. In the 30 years that have followed, there have been some massive wins and over £49 billion raised for good causes.

The largest ever UK Lotto jackpot was £66 million. That was the top prize in January 2016 with two tickets sharing the prize including David and Carol Martin from Hawick in Scotland.

KFC meal

There have been some incredible stories over the past 30 years. For example, Geraldine Bradley from Wales won a £3.5 million prize in 2006  but then celebrated her National  Lottery win with a £9.99 Kentucky Fried Chicken meal.

Even though Mrs Bradley became a millionaire, the 55-year-old still works two days a week as a hairdresser. There’s one drawback though, the National Lottery winner joked that her clients tend not to give her any tips.

Winning a massive jackpot takes some getting used to. This winner admits that for the first six months she was “scared to spend anything.” Geraldine and her husband Chris  both love motorbikes and one purchase cost £7,000.

English player Tom Naylor won a £15.5 million UK Lotto jackpot  and bought a car for every day of the week.

Another strange first post-National Lottery win was made by Matt Evans from Barry in Wales. He won £2.6 million nine years ago and bought his sister a new fridge. He spent £700 on new clothes for himself but like Geraldine says “then I didn’t spend anything for a month.” He even admits to being afraid to leave his house for several weeks.

Sports mad

The sports fan has gotten over that and has been to America to watch basketball and American football. He’s also seen his beloved Cardiff City play football everywhere from Moldova to China. A new house was bought and he has a full-sized football goal and dug out so he can invite his friends around for a game.

Buy tickets now from Lottery24.