A Halifax couple is ‘set for life’ after scratching their way to a major Atlantic Lottery prize.
David and Megan Roache cashed in a winning Set for Life ticket worth $6 on Aug. 11 and used the money to purchase another Set for Life ticket. This time they won big.
“I’ll finally get to see how it feels to get a paycheque that isn’t used to pay the bills; it’ll be mine!” said David.
The couple has opted to collect a lump sum of $675,000 up front, rather than receive a $1,000 cheque each week for 25 years.
David, an upholsterer, and his wife Megan, who works part-time at a local gardening center, say the cash will help take the pressure off.
“For the first time ever, we’re taking a family vacation,” said Megan. “We’ll also be paying student loans for our daughters, paying off lines of credit and investing a big chunk of it.”
“I plan to retire in four years and nine months; 940 days actually, but who’s counting?” said David. “For now, I’m getting an ATV that I can use when I go hunting.”
The couple kept their win a secret until they collected their prize Tuesday. They even managed not to spill the beans at a weekly neighbourhood party.
“I guess for this Thursday’s neighbourhood party I’ll be bringing the beverages and the munchies,” said David.
David and Megan are the first top prize winners on the existing Set for Life tickets featured in stores. Four top prizes remain.
The winning ticket was sold at Danielson’s Tobacco in Halifax. The retailer will receive a 1 per cent seller’s prize.
