A couple who scooped a £2 million ($2.6m) lottery win have said that the real celebrations began three days later when their teenage son was given the all-clear from cancer.
John and Allison McDonald matched six numbers on their lucky dip ticket on 18 December, then just 72 hours later, their 15-year-old son Ewan was declared free of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
John, a security officer, said: "It is just like all of our lifelong dreams came true in the space of three days. What a start to 2020.
"Everyone always dreams of winning the lottery at Christmas and talks about how amazing this would be. Allison and I never believed it would happen to us - and it has. Then to receive news that Ewan's latest scans are all clear is just truly amazing.
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"We are so thankful. 2020 is certainly looking like being one amazing year for the three of us."
John, 62, and his 49-year-old wife Allison, who worked in an opticians, have both handed their notices in already. Who can blame them.
The pair, from Stockton-on-Tees, have been helping their son through his illness since May 2019, when he was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma is a type of cancer that effects the lympahtic system - part of the immune system.
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Grafter John found out he'd won the cash while he was at work, where he would regularly do 70-hour weeks.
He said: "I had finished my routine patrols and was sitting having a cup of tea when I remembered I had not checked my lottery ticket. I quickly realised I had matched two numbers and I thought great - this means I have won a Lucky Dip.
"I then realised I had matched three numbers and I was absolutely over the moon - thinking we can do something nice this weekend as a family. But as I continued to check I realised I had matched all six - I was just in total shock.
"My legs were trembling as I called Camelot to check that what I was seeing was in fact right, I couldn't believe it when the news was confirmed.
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"I immediately called Allison, who was in the dentist at the time."
Mum-of-three Allison, who also has three grandchildren, said when she saw the missed call from her husband she immediately thought the worst.
She added: "All sorts of thoughts rushed through my head.
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"I just thought, 'oh no, why is he calling me - something must be wrong - something terrible has happened - has something gone wrong with Ewan?'
"Never did I believe when I called him back he would be telling me we had won the Lotto Jackpot."
What a phone call to receive.
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John and Allison plan to buy a four-bedroom house with their winnings, as well as to travel together.
Allison, who's been on leave to look after Ewan, added: "It is fantastic that this win has not only given us the financial security to buy a lovely new family home, but also time.
"We can both now afford to stop work and spend time with our family making memories - something we could only have ever dreamed of doing."
What a start to the year for this family.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS