Retired office manager Rose Tresadern, 80, from near Southend-on-Sea, said the extraordinary win felt as though her husband Derek was “still looking out for us” after she and her two children decided to continue playing the Lotto numbers he had faithfully chosen for decades.
The family syndicate, made up of Mrs Tresadern and her children Barry, 52, and Julie, 57, matched five main numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto draw on April 18, securing a life-changing £1 million prize.
The winning numbers — one, four, 12, 15 and 39, along with bonus ball 48 — had long been associated with Derek Tresadern, a former business analyst who died aged 83 last year after a short illness. His death came shortly after he and Rose celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, marking 60 years of marriage.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Rather than stop playing after his passing, the family decided to continue entering the numbers each week as a way of honouring his memory — never imagining they would eventually lead to a seven-figure win.
“We carried on playing the numbers because they reminded us of Derek,” Mrs Tresadern said.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
“Winning £1 million never even crossed our minds.
“I don’t even know what all the numbers meant to Derek but whatever they represent, they have turned out to be very lucky for us.
“It honestly feels like he’s still looking out for us.
“I know he’d be over the moon.”
Mrs Tresadern was alone at home when she discovered the family had won the prize and immediately telephoned her son, struggling to get the words out.
“I rang Barry straight away, I could hardly speak,” she recalled.
“They thought something terrible had happened.
“When I told them we’d won £1 million, there was just silence.
“None of us could believe it.”
The emotional story has resonated strongly with many people because of the family’s decision to continue playing the numbers as a tribute to Derek following his death. National Lottery winners’ advisers described the circumstances surrounding the win as “truly special”.
Kathy Garrett, senior winners’ adviser at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: “Huge congratulations to Rose, Barry and Julie on this incredible win.
“There’s something truly special about the fact Derek chose the winning numbers many years ago and that the family continued playing them to honour him.”
For Mrs Tresadern, the money represents not only financial security but also a chance to improve her quality of life following ongoing mobility difficulties.
She now plans to move into accommodation better suited to her needs, where she can continue living independently alongside her Maltese dog, Amira.
“With my mobility issues, I need somewhere to live that’s easier to manage,” she said.
“Now I’ll have comfort, independence and peace of mind.
“It’s such a relief.”
Part of the winnings will also be used to buy a new engagement ring in memory of her husband.
Mrs Tresadern explained that Derek had previously replaced her original engagement ring years earlier after it wore out, but that replacement has since become damaged as well.
“I’ll repair it, but I’d love a new one as well,” she said.
“Something special to remind me of him.”
Her son Barry, who lives in Purley in south London, and daughter Julie, from Basildon in Essex, are still deciding how they will use their shares of the prize money.
The family’s story comes amid continued public fascination with lottery winners whose victories are tied to sentimental routines, family traditions and long-held personal rituals. National Lottery organisers say many regular players continue using the same numbers for years, often linked to birthdays, anniversaries or important life events.
The win, for the Tresadern family, carries a significance far beyond money alone.
What began as a simple weekly tribute to a husband and father who had passed away has now become an extraordinary reminder of family, memory and enduring love after more than six decades together.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar