A National Lottery winner who had to live “out of food banks” whilst he waited for his winnings has shared his “relief” at finally being given the money.
Pete Daly, 71, won £582.20 on the EuroMillions in July, and was told that his winnings would arrive within 10 days.
However, over a month later, there was no sign of the money and Daly began to panic.
He had used his monthly cash to pay off his car insurance, believing that his winnings would keep him afloat. However, when the money didn’t arrive, the 71-year-old was forced to turn to food banks to survive.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Daly, from the Wirral, said: “When I found out I had won I paid my car insurance off with my entire cash for the month because I was thinking this money would come in to keep me afloat for the month.
“I’ve been living in food banks all month because it hasn’t come in, I can’t afford a haircut, I need new shoes. I can’t afford anything because I paid for the car insurance thinking I’d get this money within 10 days.”
He lamented that the lack of funds meant he could not even afford to leave the house, admitting he was struggling deeply.
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Daly, who could not afford a haircut or a much-needed pair of fresh shoes, has now expressed his “relief” after finally receiving his long-awaited winnings.
“I got the letter through the post at 3 o’clock [on September 12], but that’s when the banks shut so I had to pay it into a machine outside. I’d gone straight down.
“I’ve spent half my winnings already, the other half has to last me until I get my pension in a fortnight. It has been a relief since I got it, I’ve got my new shoes and a haircut.”
A spokesperson for lottery operator Allwyn said: “We’re very sorry to hear the concerns raised and colleagues have now called Mr Daly with an update. We successfully process hundreds – sometimes thousands – of prize claims every week.
“This is following the introduction of a revised claims process that we had to bring in earlier this year following the Post Office’s decision to no longer pay National Lottery retail prizes between £500.01 and £50,000.”
“Unfortunately, a small number of these claims are delayed for various reasons. However, we’re continuing to work on new ways to help further improve the claims process and would like to reassure our winners that they will definitely receive their prize.”
Alywn had previously apologised for the delay and assured that the 71-year-old would receive his winnings.
