Betfred Big Winner: Santa sighting on the cards after family man’s £62k scoop

Ship builder Michael Richards couldn’t concentrate at work and had to leave early after winning a whopping £62,500 from a £2.50 wager on the New York Lotto.

The Betfred customer, who works at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, now has big plans to take his young family to see Father Christmas at Lapland.

Father-of-two Michael, who lives in Liverpool, opted for the numbers 8, 17, 20 and 22 on his four-fold and they all appeared in the Lotto Results.

He picked eight because his son was that age two years ago when he selected the sequence, 17 to represent the birthday of his grandmother and 22 for his son’s birthday – while 20 was a random pick.

Michael, 40, said: “I’ve been a Betfred customer for six years and I knew if I stuck with the numbers they’d eventually come out. I’m totally made up.

“I was on my way to work and stopped off at the shops for a paper when I checked the numbers and realised I had won. I was in a total daze for a couple of hours or so, eventually telling my boss I couldn’t concentrate and had to go home early.

“We’ve got a weekend away booked, and a holiday in Spain during half-term, so there will be plenty of time to celebrate – and then I’m going to treat the family to see Santa in Lapland.

“I’ve had to move quickly to get things sorted out, because the wife has been busy trying to spend it!”

Betfred boss Fred Done said:

“It’s brilliant that Michael is able to share this joy with his family – and all for just £2.50.”