SOMERSET FAMILY NEARLY MISSES £1M LOTTERY PRIZE

A Somerset family will claim a £1 million National Lottery jackpot after their syndicate matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball in the draw on 24 June. Mark Jefferson, a builder from Ilminster, almost forfeited the prize after ignoring calls and emails from the National Lottery for nine days, believing them to be sales calls. He reluctantly answered the phone after nine days of attempted contact, at which point he was told of the win. Jefferson said he initially thought he was being wound up when informed of the £1 million prize.

The family syndicate comprises Mark, his wife Naomi, and their four adult children: Alexandra, Lily, Emily and Taylor. The family set up the syndicate in July 2025 to celebrate Mark's birthday, with each member selecting one Lotto line for each draw. Alexandra chose the winning numbers. Jefferson said he had assumed earlier notifications meant the family had won only a small amount and did not realise the significance of the follow-up contact. He described spending nine days ignoring emails about "something so life-changing" as incredible.

The £1 million prize will be divided equally among the six members of the family syndicate. Jefferson said he was "absolutely floored" and "in tears" upon learning the true amount won. He stated that the rest of the family went "absolutely wild" when they heard the news, describing it as a moment none of them would forget. Jefferson said the experience had given the family "opportunities we have never imagined before".