### Paignton Couple Celebrate Life-Changing £4 Million Lottery Windfall After Late-Night Email Check
A police radio operator from Paignton, Devon, has handed in his resignation after an astonishing win of nearly £4 million on the National Lottery. Jon Waring, aged 57, discovered his extraordinary good fortune after an unusual early-morning urge prompted him to check his emails at 4am—a decision that would alter the course of his and his family’s lives forever.
Jon, who has dedicated sixteen years to his career in the police service, wasn’t the only member of his household set for change. His wife Lucy, 48, is also bidding farewell to her nursing post as the couple comes to terms with the magnitude of their unexpected jackpot. The couple, together with their 15-year-old daughter, have expressed excitement at the prospect of enjoying a more relaxed future, one that looks set to fulfil several long-held dreams.
At the top of Jon’s wish list is a Harley-Davidson trike, while Lucy looks forward to indulging in a hot tub—both symbols of a more leisurely lifestyle they intend to embrace. Yet, moving house remains high on their agenda, although the family is keen to remain in the part of Devon that has always been home. According to Jon, who matched all six numbers in the 31st May Lotto draw, the reality of their win remains difficult to comprehend. “I keep expecting to wake up and find it was all a dream,” he shared, still in disbelief weeks after the event.
Music plays a central role in the Waring household, and the couple plan to establish a dedicated music room in their next home. This new space will showcase the family’s cherished guitar collection and will serve as a hub for listening to their favourite bands. The Warings, avid rock music fans, now hope to attend concerts across the UK—opportunities previously beyond reach. “This will finally give us the chance to slow down and enjoy life while making memories as a family,” Jon explained.
It was during that fortuitous early morning that Jon’s instincts told him to check his email, where he saw a message informing him of a lottery prize win. Initially sceptical, Jon cross-referenced the winning numbers online and was stunned to discover there had been just one jackpot winner—himself. “I didn’t quite believe it, so I switched off my tablet and waited a few minutes before checking again,” he recalled. Waking Lucy with the news led to a surreal moment. “She asked if it was April Fool’s Day,” Jon laughed. “I told her, no, it’s June. We just sat in shock, drinking endless cups of tea, unable to go back to sleep.”
Retirement is now on the cards for both Jon and Lucy, far earlier than they had ever planned. Jon, who counts himself among Exeter Chiefs’ most loyal supporters, dreams of seeing his favourite rugby team from a box seat and hopes for a trip to watch the Lions Tour, alongside an upgrade to their car—a luxury Audi Q7. “Our routines have always been dictated by awkward shift patterns, making proper holidays almost impossible,” admitted Jon. “We don’t even have up-to-date passports.” That, the couple say, is set to change, with a celebratory holiday and perhaps a music pilgrimage to New Orleans also in their sights.
Reflecting on their newfound situation, Jon confessed that while the windfall offers a seismic shift in lifestyle, it won’t change who they are as people. “What it will alter is the freedom we have to enjoy life and spend time as a family,” he added. The couple feel immense gratitude for the window of opportunity that’s opened for both them and their daughter.
Jon has been a dedicated Lotto player since the inception of the game, now purchasing tickets online as part of his weekly routine. The winning numbers that upended their lives—8, 11, 12, 16, 20, and 33—will no doubt remain etched in their memories forever.
In the end, as Jon succinctly puts it, “These are the kinds of dreams you never really believe could come true—until one extraordinary morning they do.”