Lottery winner luggage £500,000 on anniversary of him beating kidney most cancers

A lucky lottery winner bagged £500,000 on the year anniversary of him beating kidney cancer.

Computer whizz John Lingard said he “floated on cloud nine to the local shop” when he realised he had snagged the life changing amount on the Thunderball draw – saying he decided against driving there in case he crashed.

The 66-year-old won big exactly 12 months after he had surgery to beat cancer and now can’t wait to celebrate his life with his new health and wealth.

John, from Great Yarmouth, said he logged on to check the results but although it said he was a winner, there was no change in his account amount online.

“I assumed there must be a lag or something on the system,” he explained. “So I went to work and didn’t give it another thought. Even when I logged on later that day to buy my EuroMillions ticket I didn’t look more deeply into the message that popped up congratulating me on a win.

“It was only 24 hours later that I finally read my messages and the penny started to drop, although not fully, because at first glance I thought it was £500.10.

“I was just on my way out the door heading to the supermarket, but when I worked out that it was actually £500,000 plus £10 on another line, I decided driving wasn’t a good idea so walked to the local shop. I think I actually floated there, I certainly felt like I was on cloud nine.”

The computer maintenance engineer underwent surgery to remove one kidney to fight cancer after he experienced symptoms on a flight returning from Tenerife in 2023, and said he is going to spend his winnings on returning under happier circumstances.

“I visit Tenerife 3 or 4 times a year but when I left in September, I told friends I probably couldn’t make it back before early 2025,” he said.

“Now thanks to my Thunderball luck, I can afford to take a week off – unpaid – and head back for a little winter sun, and to celebrate with my friends over there.

“I may also do a little house-hunting while I’m on the island. It would be nice to have a bolt-hole for the future, and it will also be a way to share my good fortune with those closest to me who will be able to use it for their holidays too.”

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