Lottery winner loses ENTIRE £500,000 jackpot after making ‘sad’ mistake – could mystery ticket holder be your neighbour?
A NATIONAL lottery player missed out on a £500,000 jackpot prize after they made a “sad” mistake.
Lotto bosses confirmed the unidentified winner from Redditch, Worcestershire, has failed to come forward in the time allowed and so lost the chance to claim the life-changing sum of money.
An attempt was launched to find the winner which had come from the Thunderball draw on December 8 last year.
On that draw, the winning numbers were 2, 15, 31, 35, 37 and the Thunderball was 6.
The lucky ticket holder had until June 5 to claim their huge prize.
Operator of The National Lottery, Allwyn, though confirmed that the six-figure sum had remained unclaimed for more than 180 days despite various appeals.
That mean the player from Redditch has lost out on the “substantial” sum that would have had a huge impact on their life.
The money, including any interest it had gained, will handed over to help projects which are funded by the National Lottery around the UK.
Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at The National Lottery, said: “Unfortunately, I can confirm the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now missed out on this substantial amount of money.
“However, the money will now add to the £30million raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects.”
Redditch has previously benefitted from funding by the National Lottery including Redditch Nightstop, which provides emergency accommodation and support for people aged between 16 and 35 who are facing homelessness.
Meanwhile, Koala Tree, which provides a talking therapy service for parents and parents-to-be who may be struggling with their journey through parenthood, has also benefitted financially.
After the deadline passed, Lottery bosses have warned players to check their tickets online or use the app to scan their tickets so they don’t miss out on any winnings, large or small.
Players using the app or online will have their tickets checked and an email notification will be sent if you win a prize.
As with all National Lottery draws, players have 180 days, around six months, from the day of the draw to claim any prize money.
Any prize money without a valid claim after 180 days, plus any interest it has received, is added to the amount raised each week which goes to good causes funded by the National Lottery.
Anyone with any queries or who thinks they have a winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery on 0333 234 5050 or email help@national-lottery.co.uk.
In May this year, an unlucky couple missed out on a huge £35million lotto win.
Edwina and David Nylan, from Fleetwood, Lancs, claim they missed out on the life-changing lottery windfall because they didn’t have enough money in their lotto account when they bought their ticket.
While in December last year, a couple who thought they won a £182million EuroMillions jackpot were sent a galling message from the lottery.
Another man was devastated after his ex won £14.5million and immediately told him he would not see a penny.
One family netted £61million on the EuroMillions draw – but an ex-boyfriend of the parents’ daughter narrowly missed out on claiming any share.