A woman from Sidney who found out she and her sister in Ontario had won $5 million on a 6/49 ticket says she didn’t call right away because her sister was already in bed.
But when Heather Andrews did reach sister Gwen Leeder in Stittsville, Ont., the next morning, the pair were in a state of shock that quickly turned to laughter.
The sisters claimed their $5-million jackpot on Monday at the B.C. Lottery Corporation’s Vancouver office.
Andrews, who purchased the winning ticket for the the Oct. 21 draw at the Pharmasave on Seventh Street in Sidney, said she was at home watching TV when she thought she should check her ticket.
“I looked at the ticket and checked [online] two or three times and then sent the picture to Gwen and called her in the morning.”
Leeder was even more excited to hand in her resignation letter to her employer.
“Overwhelming, surreal and fantastic,” said Leeder of the sisters’ luck. “Our dream was to travel together.”
Andrews and Leeder plan to explore Canada’s East Coast together, as well as helping family and close friends.
So far in 2023, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $100 million in winnings from Lotto 6/49.
