“I’m not one of these winners who is going to say this win won’t change me. It bloody well will or at least I’ll give it a damn good go!” the newest winner of the Euromillions jackpot pronounced.
The single ticket winner of Friday’s massive Euromillions jackpot has already come forward to claim his prize.
On Wednesday, factory worker Ade Goodchild from Hereford, UK was introduced as the jackpot winner and posed for an assembled press gathering with his £71,057,439 cheque.
Goodchild is the UK’s 15th biggest winner the country has ever seen.
Goodchild has worked in a local metal factory –Special Metals Wiggin Ltd. – for the past 24 years. He has no intention of returning to his job and plans to spend his newfound free time enjoying the finer things in life.
“They’ll be no more shift work for me. I want to travel, find myself a lovely new home, go to top sporting events, and try many other things besides,” Goodchild said.
Family is First Priority
The lucky winner found out about his good fortune the morning after the draw.
“I had an urge early Saturday morning and decided to scan my ticket on the National Lottery App. It gave me the winning ‘ping’ sound and I thought I might have won a fiver or something.”
“But when I checked I thought hang on, it looks like I’ve won £71,000! I put my glasses on to double check and then spotted that it was the jackpot prize and that all my numbers were circled. I thought wow, a lot of people have shared the jackpot this week but fair play.”
“Then I read the prize amount again and realized that it was actually £71 million and just one winner – me! It was then that I called my Mum and Dad. Their reaction was one of complete shock – I still don’t think it’s sunk in for them”.
“The main thing I want to do with my win is to help my family. I’m going to treat my Mum and Dad. I’m going to to take them property shopping. They can spend my inheritance now!”
“I was not brought up to be wealthy but I’m going to have fun learning!”
Rich and Single
Goodchild is currently single, has two ex-wives and no children. He has been divorced for three years from his wife of 23 years, but says they are still friendly and that she is really happy for him. He now lives with his two Labradoodles, Taz and Muttley.
Goodchild says he is not looking for love. “I’m going to walk the path before me,” he said. “If it happens, it happens.”
“I’ve not become any more attractive overnight but my wallet has. Anybody that I think I couldn’t have pulled when I was poor will have no chance!”
He plans to travel and indicated that Canada, the Grand Canyon and the Great Pyramids are places he intends to visit.
Other items on Goodchild’s wish list include a new home ideally with swimming pool and Jacuzzi plus a few staff to help run it.
“I’m not a gardener but I’d like a bit of space for the dogs and a nice spot for my hammock on sunny days so it would be good to have someone to take care of the view for me. I think I could also get used to a driver and even my own cook!”
The winning main EuroMillions numbers for the March 15th draw were 03, 15, 24, 42 and 46 and the winning EuroMillions Lucky Star numbers were 09 and 12.
Goodchild bought his winning ticket from The Co-Op on Ledbury Road in Hereford.