Student Katie Cameron has celebrated a day made of dreams after finding the £20,000 January Jackpot golden ticket tucked in her copy of the Press and Journal.
Katie, 21, was on a short break from her university revision yesterday when she tore open the gamecard to find the dazzling surprise.
“It just feels amazing. You never think this type of thing ever really happens, and here it has happened to me,” said Katie, of Bramble Place, Portlethen, Aberdeenshire.
Her prize could easily not have been, given that the copy of the P&J had been due to go out to the recycling bin, with the lucky ticket still inside.
The paper had been lying on the coffee table since Monday, with the family unaware of its valuable contents, after she bought it for her dad from Asda in Portlethen.
It was only when mum Hazel mentioned to her daughter yesterday that the top prize in our giveaway had not been claimed, that she decided to take a look at the ticket.
Katie, who toasted her fine win with a glass of champagne at the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen last night said: “I only opened it to keep my mum happy. The paper was in danger of going to the recycler. I genuinely could not believe my eyes when I saw the figure. The ticket was checked, checked and checked again.”
A social sciences student at the city’s Robert Gordon University, Miss Cameron chose to stay at home with her parents to save money during her university days.
Now £20,000 richer, Katie, who hopes to become a counsellor, said she feels she can look to the future with confidence.
“This is a real foundation for me and is probably much more money than my first salary will be, so it puts in perspective the value of it. My dad has kind of instilled in me the value of money and its importance so I really want to put it to good use.
“But there will be a treat or two,” she said.
She is now enjoying weighing up what best to spend her winnings on, and the possibility of swapping the Renault Twingo she shares with her mum for a cream-coloured Mini is currently top of the wish list.
A trip to New York, where she celebrated her 21st birthday with her parents, has also crossed her mind.
“I would absolutely love to go back to New York, I loved everything about it, from the atmosphere to Central Park. I loved moving from the hustle and the bustle into a tranquil space. I would like to go back for more. I would also love to see a few more European countries. I would like to travel and make the money worthwhile, instead of just blowing it.”
But a meal for her parents, and her sister Claire, 24, a classical guitar teacher, is almost certain.
However, first comes the exams, although Katie admitted: “I don’t think I’ll be able to revise ever again.”
Mum Hazel, 57, who works as a part-time administrator, said: “The paper was just away to go out. Now I am so glad that Katie opened up the ticket. It was just a normal day in the house but of course along came this brilliant surprise. We are all very, very happy for her.”
Dad David, 53, a manager at a heating and plumbing firm, added: “We just can’t quite believe what has happened.”
Press and Journal editor Damian Bates said: “I’m absolutely over-the-moon that Katie has managed to find the £20,000 top prize.
“It’s absolutely wonderful that we’ve been able to give this lovely young lady a great start to the new year.
“We’re all so excited for her and all the other winners. It’s great to put a smile on so many faces.”
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