When Adrian Brennan spotted an empty parking spot outside his local shop he decided to grab the chance to buy a National Lottery ticket. Now, the carpenter and handyman from Ferndale, Mid Glamorgan is looking forward to enjoying a Set For Life prize of £10,000 every month for a year.
Adrian, 69, is planning on treating his family to lots of gifts and indulging his passion for woodwork and walking in the Welsh valleys after matching all five main numbers in the Set For Life draw on 23rd January 2025.
Recounting his amazing win, Adrian said, “I buy National Lottery tickets from lots of places.
“I impulse buy but hadn’t bought a ticket from the Co-Op in Ferndale for ages because every time I drove past there wasn’t a car parking space.
“But the day before the draw I drove past and saw a space. I quickly parked and bought my usual weekly Set For Life Lucky Dip. I then drove home and forgot about it to be honest.”
Adrian checked his numbers that night and was astonished to see he’d matched all five main numbers.
Thinking he might be dreaming, he rang his daughter Stacey.
Adrian said, “I asked her to check out the winning numbers because I thought I had won £10,000. She said, ‘you’re joking’ but went on to check and said yes, I’d won £10,000, but every month for a year!
“When Stacey and I finished talking it was late at night, but I celebrated and toasted my newfound wealth with a can of lager.
“I’m quite a chilled, relaxed sort of guy so after getting over the initial shock, I signed the back of the ticket and put it on the sideboard and just went to bed.”
Adrian slept soundly and phoned The National Lottery the next day to claim his prize. He said, “I called mid-morning and then went out to do a few jobs, just like any other day really.”
Adrian, who has two children and six grandchildren, says treating his family is the priority. Widower Adrian said, “I’m going to treat Stacey and my son Kerry and the grandchildren, who have already put in their requests including an electric bike and a set of darts.
“I was going to buy a driving test for one grandson, but he got a last-minute cancellation and passed first time last week, so I reckon I’ll help him with his car insurance.”
When it comes to treating himself, Adrian wants to enjoy life.
He said, “I love the fact I get an amount every month for a year and can decide what to do with it. I want to change my car, I haven’t decided what yet, but with what I have left, I want to just enjoy more time woodworking in my shed.
“I was a carpenter for nearly twenty years and just love working with wood. I make all sorts of things from chairs to ornaments.”
Adrian has been working part-time for a while and loves “keeping my hand in”.
He added, “I can turn my hands to anything from fitting windows to being a locksmith. This win will give my family and I lots of treats and a lovely cushion to enjoy a few more things in life.”
Adrian, who has lived in the area all his life said, “I’m a very proud Welshman and love the valleys. I’m very lucky to be able to live and work in this beautiful countryside.”
