Rob and Lisa Nicholson were at a McDonald’s in York when they received a phone call — which they first thought was a spam call — that changed their lives
A couple found out they had won one million pounds — while tucking into McDonald’s.
Rob and Lisa Nicholson nearly didn’t pick up the phone because they thought it was a “spam call” but, having eventually answered, they were told they won a huge prize on Omaze, a community lottery.
The couple dashed home to scoop the tax-free life-changing sum — after buying a ticket for just £15. Now, they say can now celebrate their 23-year wedding anniversary in style this week and will be able to retire early to support their three children.
Rob, a 69-year-old engineer, said: “We were enjoying a well-earned McFlurry after attempting a bit of dreaded Christmas shopping. I didn’t answer the first couple of calls because we thought it was probably a spam caller trying to flog us something. When I finally picked up and realised it was Omaze, I looked at my wife and said ‘I think we need to ditch the McFlurrys and get home now.’ So we left our McFlurrys in a hurry and headed straight back to the house to meet the Omaze team.
“After the dust had settled and we knew we’d become millionaires, we were both in shock. I wasn’t sure how to celebrate so suggested having a nice cup of tea, but my wife said opening a bottle of wine would be far more appropriate.”
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Rob and NHS admin worker Lisa, 54, had stopped at the McDonald’s during a trip to York to visit their youngest son, Max, at university. Rob, a design engineer who has worked in the industry for 40 years, continued: “When I told my boss he said ‘why are you still here?’ as he assumed I’d retire straight away.
“But I love my job and I love the people I work with, so I’ll cut down my days for a while and then finally retire and pass the baton on. I’ve mainly carried on working so we can pay our son’s university fees, thanks to the win we can now pay them all off in one go.”
The couple, who will celebrate their 23rd wedding anniversary this week, have two other children; Charlotte, 31, and 30-year-old Lewis. Rob, who lives in West Yorkshire with his wife, said the Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw win could not have come at a better time.
He continued: “This is such a life-changing sum of money, it will really transform things for the whole family. Both our boys are autistic, so having this extra money will make a big difference. We’ll be able to help all three of the kids, it means the world to us that we’ll be able to give our children such a fantastic head start in life.”
Rob also said how life has been challenging in recent times: “It feels like it’s been one thing after another for us over the past few years.
“My wife lost her mum to leukaemia a few years ago, and her dad now lives with us. Our daughter Charlotte has moved back home recently too. So this win really does take a huge amount of pressure off all of us, a cloud has been lifted and we’ve now got permanent smiles on our faces.”
Their daughter Charlotte, who works 6am – 9pm six days a week trying to save for a deposit for a house, burst into tears when she heard the news.
Rob said: “My wife rang her and told her, and Charlotte said: I told you something good was going to happen to you, you deserve it so much. We can now help her get her first home, it’s beyond wonderful.”
He said that he never considered himself a lucky man, joking: “I once won £3 in a raffle, that cost me £3, but I’ve more than broken even this time. Seeing all those zeros land in my account is something I’ll never forget.”
He added: “My wife has already said it’s time for us to have some time together, enjoy life and treat ourselves. I know she’s had her eye on a special bag, but now we can go back to get it. I imagine the Christmas lists will be pretty long this year! Although we won’t waste it all, my wife still bought a second class stamp yesterday.”
As well as changing Rob and Lisa’s lives forever, Omaze helps raise money for good causes across the UK through its prize draws, with more than £100 million raised to support UK charity partners since launching in 2020.
James Oakes, President of Omaze, said: “We’re all delighted that Rob and Lisa have become our latest Monthly Millionaire winners. It’s wonderful to see such a hard-working couple enjoying this life-changing moment, everyone at Omaze is thrilled for them and their family’s future.
“Omaze gives people the chance to win life-changing prizes, while also raising significant funds for incredible causes. Thanks to the generosity of the Omaze community, we’ve now raised over £100 million for good causes across the UK.”
Single-purchase entries start from £10 per Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw, with subscribers receiving automatic entries into every draw when their subscription renews each month.
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Lake District, are available now. To enter, use this link.
