"I've never won anything" - £25k for first winner of Rugby Lotto's jackpot

A Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors supporter has become the first player to scoop the £25,000 Rugby Lotto jackpot.

The jackpot win was confirmed on Saturday, January 16, with the lucky player's ticket matching all six numbers in the lotto draw.

The winner wishes to remain anonymous, but they said: "I've had a lotto ticket for about two years and bought it to support Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors, an iconic rugby club in the place the game was invented," the winner said.

"The club has had a difficult time in the past and needs all the support it can get in bringing on young players.

"The jackpot win has astounded me. I've never won anything."

They signed up to play the Rugby Lotto to support the Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors - one of nearly 40 borough-based good causes which benefit from the lotto every week.

Rugby Borough Council launched the community lottery in May 2019 to support the work of charities and community organisations.

For every £1 ticket bought, a good cause selected by the player receives 50p with a further 10p going to a general Rugby Community Fund.

The remaining cash goes into the lotto prize fund and to Gatherwell, the company which runs the lotto on behalf of the council.

Charities and community organisations can sign up to benefit from the Rugby Lotto - with £56,000 raised so far.

A spokesman for Rugby Lions Minis and Juniors said it was "fantastic news" one of the club's supporters had scooped the jackpot prize.

"The regular monthly funds we receive from Rugby Lotto have been vital," the spokesman added.

"We have been able to buy new training kit to help our RFU-qualified coaches deliver new and varied activities, giving our young players the best opportunities and ensure they have fun whilst learning new rugby skills, something we're very proud of at Rugby Lions."

Cllr Emma Crane, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, said: "I'm delighted to hear we have a jackpot winner.

"The Rugby Lotto gives local good causes a fun and easy way to raise much-needed funds, and residents the chance to support causes close to their heart.

"It's simple for good causes to sign up to the Lotto and start benefiting from the money raised each week."

Good causes can sign up for Rugby Lotto on the website: www.rugbylotto.org/good-causes

Residents can buy tickets for the lotto on the website, either nominating a cause to receive money from the tickets or choosing to donate to the Rugby Community Fund.

The website publishes the results of the weekly draw every Saturday.