Rebecca Brown, a 44-year-old NHS nurse, saw her life transform after winning a share of a £1 million jackpot in August 2016, thanks to her family’s Mirror-reading lottery syndicate. Rebecca pocketed £250,000, but two years later, during a routine scan, doctors discovered pre-cancerous cells in her cervix. Fearing the possibility of a hysterectomy, she was advised to have children “sooner rather than later.”
Determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother, Rebecca decided to spend £12,000 of her lottery winnings on IVF treatment. After two rounds of IVF using a sperm donor, she fell pregnant and welcomed her “priceless” daughter, Ethel, in January 2020, just before the UK entered a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, according to the Mirror.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Rebecca cherishes the special bond she shares with Ethel. “Ethel started reception and, as with all mums, that has needed another bit of an adjustment on my part. There were lots of tears,” she shared. Thanks to her lottery win, Rebecca was able to reduce her work hours, now working just two days a week. “I have no mortgage, and so the financial pressures are less. Having that peace, that control, is just amazing. But it’s the ability to spend time with her that makes everything so special.”
Rebecca has raised Ethel with the help of her father, David (68), mother, Yvonne (67), and sister, Julie (41), who were all part of the winning lottery syndicate. Grandfather David expressed his affection, saying, “We all idolise Ethel. She is the centre of our universe and so for all of us, the win now means much, much more.”
Rebecca reflects on the win’s impact, stating, “Some people think winning the National Lottery means fast cars or big houses. But the win’s gift to me is that it has helped make a little person, who I love to spend all my time with. Our win wasn’t just life-changing; it was life-giving.”
After Ethel’s birth, Rebecca moved in with her parents as the Covid-19 lockdown began. Although her initial plans for enjoying motherhood were disrupted, she found solace in the time spent together. “Lockdown created an amazing bond between us all,” she said.
Now, Ethel enjoys a close-knit family environment filled with activities like baking, drawing, and park visits. “Ethel is grounded and certainly not spoilt. She is mischievous, spirited, kind, and perfect,” Rebecca proudly shared.
The family still plays the lottery every week, using the same numbers. David even indulged in his dream of owning an Aston Martin, albeit briefly. The family has also invested in a holiday home and a four-seater Surrey bike, ensuring they continue to create cherished memories together.