A Devon father has secured a life-changing National Lottery prize worth an incredible £3.6 million, after a simple parking dilemma led him to purchase his winning ticket at a different supermarket.
Parking Problem Leads to Multi-Million Pound Win
Sean Henderson, a 39-year-old carpenter from Ilfracombe in Devon, has taken home the top prize in The National Lottery's Set For Life game. His remarkable win means he will receive £10,000 every single month for the next three decades, providing unparalleled financial security for his family.
How a Full Car Park Changed Everything
Mr Henderson's extraordinary stroke of luck began with a mundane inconvenience. After finishing work, he attempted to visit his local Lidl store to pick up some groceries, but found the car park completely full with no available spaces.
'I had finished work and popped to Lidl to grab some tea,' he explained. 'There was literally nowhere to park so I decided to go to The Co-op instead.'
This simple change of shopping destination proved to be the pivotal moment. Upon entering the Co-op, he noticed The National Lottery stand directly in front of him and felt an unusual impulse.
'Something just told me to buy a ticket - I was feeling lucky, and it turns out that I certainly was!' Mr Henderson revealed. 'This purchase has changed my life forever – and that of my little boy's too.'
Morning Coffee Discovery and Ticket Anxiety
The carpenter discovered his life-altering win the following morning while preparing his coffee. Despite the initial excitement, he experienced significant anxiety about potentially losing the precious ticket before being able to claim his prize.
Mr Henderson immediately took precautions, carefully sliding the winning slip inside his favourite book for safekeeping.
'I was so scared of losing the ticket – or actually waking up and finding out it had all been a dream,' the father admitted. 'I would literally wake up every single morning in the days which followed and continuously check the ticket over and over again – just to keep confirming that I was definitely a winner.'
Future Plans and Celebrations
Despite his multi-million pound windfall, Mr Henderson has no immediate plans to abandon his carpentry career, having worked in the profession since he was just 16 years old. However, the win does provide welcome flexibility, allowing him to avoid working during poor weather conditions.
The timing of his win coincides perfectly with his upcoming 40th birthday next week, creating a double celebration. To mark both occasions, he has already booked a luxurious five-star getaway to the Canary Islands with his partner.
Looking ahead, Mr Henderson has outlined several exciting plans for his new financial freedom:
- Purchasing a new family home
- Enjoying regular family meals at restaurants
- Treating his son to a PlayStation 5 gaming console
- Providing 'a few treats' for his son's local sports team
Lottery Official's Reaction
Andy Carter, Senior Winners' Advisor at Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, commented on the remarkable win.
'Sean's story is a brilliant example of how a National Lottery win can come at just the right moment,' Mr Carter said. 'After working hard since leaving school, the chance to really enjoy life and treat those closest to him is now possible with his fabulous Set For Life win!'
This extraordinary tale demonstrates how a simple, everyday inconvenience – a full supermarket car park – can unexpectedly lead to life-changing fortune, transforming the future for a Devon family through The National Lottery's Set For Life game.
