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OAP couple celebrate lottery £2.4m win - by buying new knees
Last updated at 23:22pm on 24.07.07For the lottery multi-millionaire, it must be a difficult choice. Which little luxury should we go for first - the mansion, the limo or the world cruise?
But for Tony and Greta Dodd, the decision was a little more prosaic.
After recovering from the shock of taking a £2,438,155 share in a rollover jackpot, they got straight on the phone to the nearest private hospital to book themselves in for four replacement knees.
The couple, aged 67 and 69 respectively, are both on the NHS waiting list for operations and suffer constant pain.
"We're ecstatic," said Mr Dodd, a retired taxi driver.
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New knees: Tony and Greta Dodds celebrate their win of £2,438,155
"As soon as it sank in that this money was for real we decided the first thing we want is a new pair of knees each.
"I've been on the NHS list for six months and up to now I've heard nothing - not even a proposed date for an operation.
"Greta has only just gone on the waiting list so we were concerned that she would have even longer to wait. Now we are thrilled to be able to sign a cheque.
"We have both been told that our knees are worn out. Mine went first and now Greta's have gone the same way. Walking any distance can be agony."
The couple have booked assessments with an orthopaedic surgeon for next week. A private knee operation costs between £8,000 and £10,000 and even four won't make too much of a hole in their £2.5 million.
"The doctors have told us we could have the operation within a few days if we wish but we will probably hold off a week or two because we have got some serious celebrating to do."
We're rich: Daughter Jane
The win came after Mr Dodd changed his regular numbers for the first time since he began playing the lottery when it was launched in 1994.
He said: "When I went to the newsagent I was a bit flummoxed because I'd lost the form with the numbers filled-in on it.
"It meant I had to write a new one and for the life of me I couldn't remember all the numbers - only the first five - so I just picked 49 as the last one at random.
"It was the greatest stroke of luck and I still can't think where it came from. I can only say that fate was on my side."
The couple, who live in Wallasey, Merseyside, have never won more than £10 on the weekly draw.
Mr Dodd said: "You could have knocked me over with a feather when I realised we had the winning line. When you see that you have crossed off those six numbers it's unreal. It's awe-inspiring."
After her operation Mrs Dodd, 69, who survived breast cancer seven years ago, plans to splash out on a holiday to Las Vegas with her best friend.
The couple who have a daughter, Jane, 42, enjoyed breaking the news to her over the phone.
Mr Dodd said: "I phoned my daughter and started singing, 'Who wants to be a millionaire...' She told me to stop messing around but when I told her it was for real she was jumping for joy."
