Dream Lottery winners left stunned by windfalls: ‘Wow’

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Can you ever top this anniversary gift?

Londoner Michael Denman on Thursday became the lucky winner of the grand prize of the Dream Lottery in support of London hospitals, a ticket he said he bought as an anniversary gift for his spouse.

“Wow,” was the first word to come out of Denman’s mouth as he received the news over the phone of his win. “You have made more than my day. You have made my years.”

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As part of his win, Denman now has his choice between a home in north London valued at nearly $1.4 million, a condo in Port Stanley plus $250,000, or a $1 million cash prize.

A second Londoner, Dale Hughes, was announced as the winner of the lottery’s 50/50 draw.

She will be taking home more than $560,000, which organizers said is one of the largest pots in the nearly 30-year run of the lottery.

“Oh, my God! You have to be kidding,” Hughes said, her voice breaking. “We’ve bought tickets through the years, and I joke about it every year, you know, ‘they didn’t do our name.’ And I say, ‘Well, that’s because we’re going to make it for the big win.’”

She added: “I’m in shock.”

Since its inception in 1996, the fundraiser has collected $59 million for London’s Children’s Health Foundation, London Health Sciences Foundation and the St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, the fundraising arms of London’s hospitals.

Proceeds from ticket sales are used to cover hospital expenses not covered by the provincial government, including medical equipment and research.

“And what that has done is provide excellence in health care,” said John MacFarlane, chief executive of London Health Sciences Foundation. “We’re so grateful for our hospitals. This money supports cutting-edge equipment, research, and education opportunities for physicians and others.

“So, it really . . . enables us to have the exceptional health-care system we have right here in London.”

jjuha@postmedia.com

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