Sometimes luck comes with a touch of magic and memory. For Darren McGuire, 46, from Bolton, his incredible £1 million lottery win felt like a sign from his late father.
Darren discovered the life-changing win just before heading off on a family holiday to Cornwall, leaving the rest of the week in what he describes as “basically just a blur.”
Picking Numbers with Meaning
Darren’s father remains a guiding presence in his life, even after his passing.
Each time Darren enters the lottery, he picks numbers that are significant to his dad—his birthday and the date of his death. This time, it paid off in a huge way.
He explained: “[Dad’s] date of birth (22.03.48) and the date of his passing (21.09.11) made us millionaires – thank you, Dad.”
The moment felt even more special when two rose bushes in Darren’s garden unexpectedly bloomed that morning, after more than four years of no growth.
“To me, it was a sign from Dad that this was the day – and it certainly was. It’s mad,” he said.
Planning a New Life
With the win, Darren plans to ease up on his grueling work schedule.
He often works seven days a week as a gas engineer for a housing association in Bolton, a job he loves, but now he can work smarter, not harder.
He and his partner, Laura Waites, who have been together nearly 20 years, also plan to finally tie the knot.
“We were going to get married years ago, then Laura fell pregnant and we moved house,” Darren said.
“With all that and my seven-day workweeks, we never got around to it. But with this win, we’re hoping to get married in real style sometime soon.”
Dreaming Big Without Flashiness
Though the win opens doors for future plans, Darren and Laura aren’t looking to live extravagantly.
They’ve already treated themselves to a new Volvo CX90, replacing a car Laura jokingly called the “bone rattler.”
Their two children have a few requests of their own—one wants a PlayStation 5, while the other is dreaming of a shopping spree for clothes and trainers. Laura said, “We’ll see what we can do!”
The family also plans to improve their home, expanding into the roof for more space, building an extension, and converting the cellar into a bar and party room.
“We like a party, and we will definitely be celebrating the win, several times over I should think!” she added.
Taking Time to Celebrate and Plan
A week-long holiday in Spain is on the horizon, giving Darren and Laura a chance to relax and make plans for their future.
For the McGuires, the lottery win isn’t just about money—it’s a chance to honour family, create memories, and finally live a little easier after years of hard work.
