Matt Cole and Courtney Cockerton were left stunned when they discovered their life-changing windfall
A Horsham couple has scooped £1million on the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw after purchasing a Lucky Dip ticket on May Day.
Matt Cole, 41, and his fiancée Courtney Cockerton, 27, were left stunned when they discovered their life-changing windfall.
The win arrived following what the pair described as a challenging period for their family.
Matt, who works as a quality assurance tester in the insurance sector, played the draw online on May 1 and matched the unique UK Millionaire Maker code on his ticket.
The couple said the news still felt unreal despite having time to process their good fortune.
Their newborn son Rupert required surgery at just 12 weeks old to correct a cleft lip and palate, with the family making regular visits to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
"It's been a really difficult few months," said Matt. "We knew before Rupert was born that he would need surgery, but nothing can truly prepare you for seeing your baby go through a five-hour operation at such a young age and having to stay in hospital overnight."
The family considered themselves fortunate Rupert fed well after birth, as cleft conditions frequently cause feeding difficulties.
Matt praised NHS staff for their outstanding care throughout the ordeal.
The couple's daughter Ivy, who is two, has been praised by Courtney for her supportive behaviour towards her baby brother throughout the difficult period.
"We've always dreamt of taking her to Disneyland Paris and seeing her face light up when she meets her favourite character....Now, thanks to this incredible win, that's the first thing on our list," Courtney said.
Rather than travelling to London for hospital appointments, the family of four will soon be heading to St Pancras International for a Eurostar journey to the French theme park.
The couple also intend to purchase a new property and vehicle with their winnings.
Matt described his disbelief upon realising he had become a millionaire, verifying the result multiple times before accepting it was genuine.
"Through everything that has been happening, I still managed to find time to buy a EuroMillions Lucky Dip ticket," laughed Matt. "When I realised I'd won £1M, I genuinely couldn't believe it. I checked it over and over again. Even now it still hasn't properly sunk in."
Dean O'Field, Winner Advisor at Allwyn, the National Lottery operator, offered his congratulations to the family.
"After what has been a difficult few months, it's fantastic to see them win this incredible amount of money," he said.