Grandmother wins £1m on late husband’s lottery numbers a year after his death

A grandmother and her children have won £1 million on the lottery using numbers chosen by a late husband and father.

Rose Tresadern, an 80-year-old grandmother from near Southend, Essex, won £1 million alongside her son Barry and daughter Julie after their long-running family syndicate struck gold in the Lotto draw on April 18.

The winning numbers, one, four, 12, 15, and 39, plus bonus ball 48, were first selected years ago by Mrs Tresadern’s late husband, Derek, who died last year at the age of 83 following a short illness.

Mrs Tresadern, a retired office manager, said the win felt like a message from her late husband.

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Barry Tresadern, Rose Tresadern and Julie Tresadern celebrate winning £1 million (Image: Kieran Cleeves/PA Media Assignments)

She said: “We carried on playing the numbers because they reminded us of Derek.

“Winning £1 million never even crossed our minds.

“I don’t even know what all the numbers meant to Derek but whatever they represent, they have turned out to be very lucky for us.

“It honestly feels like he’s still looking out for us.

“I know he’d be over the moon.”

She plans to use part of her winnings to move into a retirement home better suited to her mobility needs and to buy a new ring in memory of her husband.

She said: “With my mobility issues, I need somewhere to live that’s easier to manage.

“Now I’ll have comfort, independence and peace of mind.

“It’s such a relief.

(left to right) Julie Tresadern, Rose Tresadern and Barry Tresadern celebrate winning £1 million on the National Lottery Lotto with afternoon tea at the Roslyn Beach Hotel in Southend-on-Sea (Image: Kieran Cleeves/PA Media Assignments)

“I want to buy a new engagement ring.

“Derek bought me a second ring years after our original one wore out, but that’s become damaged too.

“I’ll repair it, but I’d love a new one as well.

“Something special to remind me of him.”

She was alone at home when she discovered the win and immediately called her son.

She said: “I rang Barry straight away, I could hardly speak.

“They thought something terrible had happened.

“When I told them we’d won £1 million, there was just silence.

“None of us could believe it.”

Barry and Julie, who live in Purley, south London, and Basildon, Essex respectively, have yet to decide how they will use their share of the winnings.

Kathy Garrett, senior winners’ adviser at The National Lottery operator Allwyn, said: “There’s something truly special about the fact Derek chose the winning numbers many years ago and that the family continued playing them to honour him.”