25-year-old Castleford man scoops £1.5m fortune in competition's biggest win in history
The 25-year-old has scooped the biggest jackpot in Elite Competitions history
A young accountant living with his parents has seen his fortunes transformed after turning a £25 ticket into a £1.475 million windfall.
Cain Heyworth, 25, scooped the largest prize in the history of prize draw firm Elite Competitions after following the results from his Castleford home.
The original top prize comprised a luxury residence in Lytham St Annes alongside a high-performance BMW M4. However, Mr Heyworth opted to take the £1.475 million cash alternative for the house whilst retaining the vehicle.
He had been saving to purchase a property with his girlfriend, but found himself priced out of the market. Although he viewed the Lytham St Annes residence, he decided the location was too distant from his roots.
“It has just been a blur,” Cain said. “It feels like it hasn’t really happened, like I am dreaming and still waiting to wake up.
“When visiting the property to make my decision, all I could say was ‘Oh my god’, I was just speechless.”
Having turned down the distant property, the windfall means he can now buy a home outright in his local area.
“I will now finally get myself a house with cash because, begrudgingly, I turned the one I won down.”
Despite the sudden influx of wealth, the accountant insisted he will not be reckless with the money. Instead, he intends to invest the bulk of the funds to ensure long-term stability.
“I don't just want to win it, lose it, and then have to go back to what my life was a week ago,” he said.
“It wasn't a bad life by any means, but I may as well secure my future for myself and any future sort of family I create."
Alongside sensible financial plans, the James Bond enthusiast is considering treating himself to an Aston Martin DBS, the model featured in Daniel Craig’s 007 films Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Trips abroad and supporting family are also on his agenda.
“I am going to go on a few holidays, definitely Australia,” he said.
“And I don't think it's worth winning something like this and that amount of money if you're not going to help out those close to you.”