A Delaware man has a big decision on his hands after claiming the top prize in the spring Dream Lottery.
Roy Ireland of Delaware was announced on Thursday as the winning grand prize ticket holder for the semi-annual sweepstakes. He will now have his choice of a fully furnished $1.5 million luxury home in London, $1.3 million cottage in Grand Bend, a $1.03 million home makeover package, or $1 million cash.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding," Ireland said when told of the big win by phone.
Ireland gave no indication which of the four prizes he might be leaning toward taking, instead telling lottery officials he would need some time to think.
Ivanka Lesjak of London won the lottery's largest 50/50 draw to-date and will take home $647,497.50. When reached by lottery officials Lesjak said she needed to sit down.
"I am lost for words. I don't know what to say," said Lesjak.
She said she purchased the lottery ticket in honour of her husband who died from Alzheimer's disease a little over a year ago.
The latest edition of the lottery in support of London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London sold out in a record 14 days, which pushed the draw date up to Thursday from the originally scheduled date of July 8.
Since launching in 1996, the lottery has raised a net total of over $47 million for London's hospitals.
“What an amazing response from our community! Everyone who supports Dream Lottery makes such a difference in the lives of patients and families at our hospitals, by ensuring that doctors, nurses and staff have advanced resources to provide outstanding care," said Scott Fortnum, the president and CEO of Children’s Health Foundation.
The names of all other major prize winners in the lottery will be posted online at www.dreamitwinit.ca by June 3.