Friday the 13th proved anything but unlucky for an Angus couple who scooped £30,000 as winners in the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Farm worker Michael Strachan (57) and his wife Violet (55), of Glen Lethnot, had never been abroad until a recent trip to Gibraltar to visit their grandchildren and that had taken them years of saving.
The money might have come in useful a little earlier, but now they aim to use it to give their family a bumper Christmas.
The only immediate item on their shopping list was a mobile phone for Michael.
“We’ll just put the rest away for another holiday and to spend on the kids at Christmas,” said Violet.
Their daughter Karen has been in Gibraltar for two years with her husband Darryl who serves with the RAF-and children Rebekka (15) and Christopher (13).
“We had to go out for Christopher’s birthday because we’ve never missed one,” said Violet.
He and his sister are coming to Lethnot for Christmas when their parents go off to Las Vegas for a belated honeymoon.
The couple’s other daughter Carol lives with husband Michael and “miracle baby” Katie in Grimsby.
Katie, who will be two in September and is now thriving, was born in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, 15 weeks early and weighed just one pound and 11 ounces.
They also have a son Michael who lives in Brechin.
“Usually Friday 13th is a really bad day for us,” said Violet. “And the past three years have been unbelievably tough.”
Besides worrying for his baby granddaughter, Michael has been battling cancer and has undergone two major operations.
He also needs a replacement hip but has been told he can’t be given the operation as long as he continues working on the farm, so endures frequent injections.
“We’re really hoping this win changes our fortunes,” said Violet. “We’ll have to get on the phone and see who can come round tonight for a celebration.”
Michael’s closest relatives won’t have far to travel as his father Alexander owns Clochie farm, his brother Brian also helps run it and lives nearby, while another cottage is occupied by his 81-year-old aunt Ella Wilkie.
Another winner was the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which received a cheque for nearly £1.3 million in a presentation at the Montrose Basin wildlife centre.
The Postcode Lottery raises money for charity with a 40p donation from every ticket sold and so far, players have raised over £6 million for good causes in Scotland.
Caroline Hendry, manager of the Montrose Basin centre, said, “The money raised makes a huge difference to the Scottish Wildlife Trust, and will allow us to take on new projects we might not otherwise have been able to.
“The money is an ideal way for the lottery players to help protect Scotland’s wildlife for the future.”