EuroMillions Player in Hayes Claims £66,244 Prize

A EuroMillions ticketholder in Hayes has come forward to claim a £66,244.60 prize, nearly three weeks after the draw on 24 January.

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The ticket, which matched five main numbers and one Lucky Star, was purchased in the London Borough of Hillingdon. Lottery operator Allwyn confirmed the claim on 14 February.

Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at Allwyn, said: “We are delighted that this ticketholder has come forward to claim their prize. It’s always an exciting moment when a player realises they have won. This will no doubt be a memorable Valentine’s Day for the winner.”

The prize is now going through the standard validation process, which includes security checks to ensure compliance with game rules. Once validated, the winner will receive their payment in a private appointment with a winners' adviser. At this stage, it remains unknown whether the claimant is an individual or part of a syndicate. Their identity will remain confidential unless they choose to go public.

National Lottery winners have 180 days from the date of the draw to claim their prizes. Unclaimed winnings beyond this period are redirected to National Lottery-funded community projects. Each week, the lottery contributes around £30 million to initiatives across the UK, supporting sectors including sport, the arts, and local heritage.

The news of the winning ticket has sparked conversation among local residents about what they would do if they won a similar prize. Sarah Thompson, a local teacher, said, "If I won, I would take my family on a well-deserved holiday and put the rest towards a deposit on a house."

Meanwhile, Jagdeep Singh, a café owner from Hayes, shared his thoughts: "I would invest in my business and donate a portion to a local food bank. There are so many people in need, and it would feel good to give back to the community."

Players can check their tickets online via the National Lottery app, on the official website, or at retail outlets. Anyone who believes they have a winning ticket is advised to contact the National Lottery directly.

The National Lottery has awarded over £95 billion in prizes since its launch in 1994, creating more than 7,400 millionaires or multi-millionaires in the UK.