A grieving son has found his mother’s winning EuroMillions ticket just days after her death.
Liam Carter, 34, from Aberdeen, made an emotional discovery while sorting through his late mother’s belongings: a winning EuroMillions ticket.
His mother, Anne Carter, who passed away at age 67, had left the ticket tucked in a kitchen drawer.
It was dated for the draw held on Friday, April 18 - just two days after her death on April 16.
Liam Carter made an emotional discovery while sorting through his late mother’s belongings: a winning EuroMillions ticket
GETTY
Adding to the emotional moment was a handwritten note on the ticket that read "don’t forget," a message AberdeenLive said Liam now treasures as a final gift from his mother.
Liam said: "It was in her handwriting - she'd written 'Sat draw - don't forget!' on the front."
Driven by a gut feeling, he checked the ticket using the National Lottery app, which advised him to call the official helpline for confirmation.
When he made the call on Saturday, he learned that the ticket had matched five main numbers- 20, 27, 35, 39, and 48- falling just short of a full jackpot by narrowly missing the two Lucky Stars, 03 and 08.
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Speaking to Playcasino.com, Liam expressed his shock at finding out the ticket was worth over £18,000.
He said: "When they told me it was worth £18,043, I just froze. I must've gone quiet on the phone. It didn't feel real. She never won anything big in her life - and now this."
He added that his mother played the lottery every week, saying: "She always said if she ever won, the money would be for me.
"And even though she never knew about this win, it really felt like something she left behind for me. Like one final gift."
The spokesman shared three key tips: always double-check your tickets before discarding them, keep them in a safe and easily identifiable spot, and know when it’s time to reach out to lottery officials
GETTYHe is planning to use the money for a deposit on a flat - a goal his mum had supported him in pursuing.
A spokesman for Playcasino.com said: "Liam's story shows that the lottery isn't just about money - it's about meaning. In this case, a forgotten ticket became something powerful and emotional.
"It's a reminder that even the smallest moments can carry the biggest impact."
Offering guidance to lottery players, the spokesman shared three key tips: always double-check your tickets before discarding them, keep them in a safe and easily identifiable spot, and know when it’s time to reach out to lottery officials.
