A Port Alberni couple is $5 million richer after winning big in last week鈥檚 Lotto 6/49 draw.

Harold Thomas and his wife Madelaine, currently located in Port Alberni, had the winning ticket, which matched all six numbers from across Canada for the $5 million jackpot.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to numbness,鈥� Harold said in an interview over the phone from the BC Lottery Corporation in Vancouver on Wednesday, Feb. 13. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something you dream about and think it will never happen. But anybody can win.鈥�

The winning ticket was purchased at A-1 Convenience Store on Redford Street. Both Harold and Madelaine regularly purchase lottery tickets every week, and after hearing last week鈥檚 news that a winning ticket was purchased in Port Alberni, Harold quickly took his ticket to be checked.

鈥淭he guy looked at me and said, 鈥楴o, it ain鈥檛 you,鈥欌�� Harold said.

However, it wasn鈥檛 until Tuesday night that Madelaine had her ticket checked. After the machine 鈥渟tarted going crazy,鈥� according to Harold, they raced to the BC Lottery Corporation the next morning to have it verified.

Harold was born and raised in Port Alberni. He met Madelaine in Victoria, and the couple moved back to Port Alberni to raise their children. They have two sons, as well as 鈥渢hree and a half鈥� grandchildren (with one due in August).

Harold and Madelaine are planning to stay in their Port Alberni home where they raised their children, rather than purchasing a new house.

鈥淲e like Port Alberni,鈥� said Harold.

Their plan for the money is to put most of it aside for their children and grandchildren. 鈥淢aybe some renovations,鈥� added Harold. 鈥淎nd a new car.鈥�

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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