Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, National Lottery, Euromillions, Money, Parenting
Olivia Burke
Topics: UK News, National Lottery, Euromillions, Money, Parenting
Some moments in life are simply too special not to capture on camera - like telling your kid you've won one million quid.
Paul Harvey propped up his phone to record his son's reaction as he announced that he'd scooped the life-changing sum, thanks to a lucky EuroMillions lottery ticket.
The 51-year-old, who raises his two teenage children solo, has told how he got a 'massive lump in his throat' as he broke the incredible news to his boy last month.
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And after watching the video of Paul announcing his win, don't be surprised if you start getting all choked up too.
The single dad, from Attleborough, Norfolk, explained that he'd taken a punt on the EuroMillions on 4 July, but didn't realise he'd won until a week later.
Paul received an email from the National Lottery which urged him to check his account and get in touch as soon as possible - but he initially thought it was a scam.
After he realised it was legit, Paul discovered that he had won £1 million by matching the unique raffle code in the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker draw.
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Brits are automatically entered into this raffle - which 'guarantees that at least one lucky player will win £1 million in every draw' - when they buy a line on the EuroMillions.
"It felt like forever waiting for the kids to get home from school so I could break the news," Paul said. "I wanted to tell the kids in person."
But as he had some time to prepare for their arrival, he decided to secretly set up his phone so that he could record some footage of the moment he told his son about the windfall.
Grab a tissue and take a look at this:
As the teenager got home from school and entered the kitchen to greet his dad, Paul asked him: "How many millionaires do you know?"
"Zero, I’ve got not money," his son then replied.
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Paul then pulled the teen into a tight hug and said: "You f***ing do now!"
What follows is a few minutes of pure joy between the father and son, as they begin jumping around the kitchen in delight as Paul yelled: "On my life, a million pounds mate!"
What makes the lottery win that bit sweeter is the fact that the family have just been through a difficult two years, during which the 51-year-old underwent treatment for bowel cancer.
"Life hasn’t always been easy, but the kids mean the world to me, and they always come first," Paul said.
"We have never been away abroad together, and I would love to take them both to Greece. But first, we need to get our passports."
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"We can afford our very own home, and I can finally have my own bedroom rather than sleeping downstairs," the father-of-two beamed. "And to go on a family holiday altogether will be fantastic."
As well as jetting off on their first foreign getaway together, Paul plans to use his winnings to help his children navigate adulthood as they each near the end of their full-time education.
"I am so proud of what the kids have achieved already in life," the dad said. "They both have big ideas about what they want to do when they leave school, and I cannot wait to help them in their chosen careers.
"It’s the important stuff like helping them to learn to drive and getting them a car and insurance so they can get to college and then work.
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"My daughter has a driving test later this year and I would love to get her a second-hand Fiat 500 for her to practise in.
"This win gives us so many more options, but I want to take my time and do it right."
Reflecting on his children's reactions, Paul said they were both 'hilarious and heart-warming'.
"We all feel ridiculously excited and relieved in equal measure," he added. "It just doesn’t seem real."