A DELIVERY man who scooped a life-changing £3.8million on the lotto spent the next working day “standing in the rain serving baskets of shopping”.
Co Fermanagh’s Jonny Johnston who has never been further than Scotland said he put his newfound fortune to “the back of my mind and just worked away”.
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The cheerful Tesco employee said the win – the equivalent of €4.3million – had “made no difference” to his shift, adding: “I’m still going to do the lottery, sure why not?” and revealed he was going to go and get a passport.
Long-term partner Christina Williams said life went on as normal for her too, adding: “It’s not going to change us.”
But if she could change anything in the recent past she said she would have splashed out on tickets to see Taylor Swift with her daughter.
Christina said: “I was looking at them in June and they were €800 / £700 so there was no way.
“That’s the only thing I would have done differently.”
The couple, who have two sons aged 23 and 19, and a daughter aged 20, have yet to firm up plans for their first trip abroad.
Jonny, 45, said the furthest he had ventured to date were trips to Portrush, Galway, Bray and a single visit to Scotland.
Drinking a glass of champagne, the multimillionaire said he is now signing up for his first passport as the couple plan a luxury cruise.
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Jonny said: “I would love for us all to go to the Caribbean, maybe on a cruise as it sounds and looks incredible. We have never had a family holiday together.”
Also on the wish list is a vintage car and a tractor for one of their children.
The win also allowed the family to put a few more presents under the Christmas tree, including designer handbags and a pair of £450 leather boots.
As for plans for their daily life in Co Fermanagh, they have no intention of moving house.
Christina, who works at an accountancy firm, told the Irish Sun: “We are never moving. No. We are staying in the same house.
“We love our home. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect so maybe a bit of redecorating, just a wee bit here and there, but that’s all.”
Christina, 46, said she too went back to work after scooping the immense sum on December 16, the week before Christmas.
She said: “Work still has to be done because January is a busy time for us and whatever we get done before January is a bonus.
“Jobs have to be finished before I finish. I had to tell my manager to get time off because you’re not allowed time off in December.”
BACK TO WORK
And even though the couple initially kept their win a secret, she explained: “I had to give the reason for taking a bit of time off because it had to be a very serious reason.
“I know I don’t have to do this now but I’m keeping myself grounded. I love to work. You have to have a purpose.
“As long as I’m still wanted there, that’s the main thing.”
She said that December 16 had been the day that “changed our lives” but she would not say it was the best day of her life.
Christina said: “We’ve had three kids. Those days were amazing, to be fair, the best days.”
Jonny said: “The whole thing is still surreal. We’re still finding it hard to believe that this actually can happen.
“I still think we’re going to wake up some morning and realise it has been a dream.”
Christina said they decided to go public with their bumper win to “give people hope”.
She explained: “There’s so much bad stuff going on in the world it’s nice to put a bit of hope out there.
“And it’s nice to see it coming to Fermanagh.”
PREP FOR FUTURE
The couple, who enjoyed a stay in Co Down’s five-star Culloden Hotel before speaking to reporters, say they are aware there could be begging letters in their future and scammers making approaches in search of money.
But they are taking advice from lotto operators Camelot who have told them they are always a phone call away.
Christina said: “We are prepared for whatever might happen.”
Jonny was on a night out with colleagues on Saturday December 16 when he got an email from the National Lottery saying there was “good news about his ticket”.
He went to bed thinking he had won a lucky dip before waking up the next morning and checking the details.
He said: “I was sitting on the edge of the bed on Sunday morning trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
“I just kept staring at the numbers on my account.
“I thought maybe I had won £38,000 but then there were too many zeroes.”
He passed his phone to Christina, his partner of 25 years, and the couple went on to call Camelot.
The couple had matched all six numbers on Saturday on a Lucky Dip Jonny had won the week before.
He said: “The kids were silent at first, looking at both of us in disbelief.
“And then the screaming and shouting started and everyone was jumping around the kitchen, cheering.
“Seeing as it was still early, we popped the kettle on and toasted the amazing news with a cup of coffee.”
CHRISTMAS WISH
Jonny said he normally delivers shopping to homes across Co Fermanagh and parts of South Tyrone.
But after telling his manager about his good luck, he was offered a shift close to base.
As the rain lashed down, he spent the shift loading baskets onto trucks heading out on delivery runs.
And he passed baskets out to shoppers arriving to collect.
He said: “We have been keeping it quiet but that’s over now.
“My phone hasn’t stopped vibrating.
“I’m still in disbelief. This is a dream come true for me and my family.
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“I’ve always worked hard, and this win will allow us to do things we could only ever have dreamt of before. I am incredibly grateful and still trying to wrap my head around it all.”
He played the UK National Lottery on the app and the winning numbers on Saturday December 16 were 4, 12, 23, 30, 50 and 56.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
