Mum-to-be celebrates after winning £1m Euromillions draw

A mum-to-be from Arbroath is celebrating after winning a life-changing £1m in the Euromillions lottery.

Alicia Harper, who is pregnant and expecting her first child in September, cracked open a bottle of Irn-Bru to celebrate after being told she was a winner in the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw on Tuesday, June 29.

Harper, 23, said she only bought a ticket ten minutes before entries closed.

She said: “I normally buy lucky dips using the National Lottery app. When I noticed I had an extra few pounds in my National Lottery account I decided to buy another one”.

It was the additional lucky dip that proved to be life-changing, with Alicia becoming an instant millionaire by matching the EuroMillions Millionaire Maker code in the draw.

“My first reaction was just absolute shock. I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Everyone is really happy for me – although my gran says she won’t believe it until she sees a picture of me holding the big cheque.”

Alicia’s attention is now turning to the imminent arrival of her baby boy in September.

“The news is still sinking in but I’m so happy as we’re now sorted for life. The first thing we want to do is buy our forever home – somewhere for our wee boy and future children to grow up in.

“We’ll obviously spoil him when he arrives, but I’m determined he will grow up with good values when it comes to money.”

Alicia also intends to use some of the money to pursue higher education – she has a passion for art and says she dreams of becoming a digital illustrator in the future.

“The money means I have the resources and comfort to work on my portfolio and when the time is right, I can do a university or college course,” she said.

“I have always loved art and animation and now I can make my own dream come true.”