A couple from Carlyle, Sask., has become new homeowners after winning the grand prize of the 2019 Spring Home Lottery.
The Hospitals of Regina Foundation announced the winner of the fully furnished $1.4-million home, and $30,000 cash.
The three-bed, three-bath 4,200-square-foot bungalow at 4645 Chuka Dr. in the Creeks, features a rec room, TV lounge, wine cellar, and home gym.
Murray Brown is the winner and he and his wife Donna said the new home and prize money is a relief.
Brown is a regular buyer of the home lottery tickets, but not solely to win. He’s had friends and family who’ve spent time in the hospital, and he buys them “mostly to support the hospitals.”
“My dad died when he was 56 – he spent a lot of time in Regina. My brother just went through cancer.”
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Donna revealed her mother had passed away a week-and-a-half ago.
Brown, a farmer and landowner, said he was doing chores when he found out he won.
“I was actually out fencing, building a new fence yesterday when the phone rang. The man from the foundation asked if I bought tickets and asked for my postal code, and I just asked him: ‘Why?.’”
The family doesn’t have a plan for the home as of yet, but his wife says their kids “are already picking bedrooms.”
Brown said they’re going to let the news sink in before they decide what their next steps are.
The 50/50 prize winner of $418,677.50 went to Andy and Gail Uleryk of Regina.
Andy said the money will go towards paying off their recently purchased house and to help their kids. The couple also buys their tickets to support Regina’s hospitals.
Money from each ticket will go towards the second phase of upgrades to the operating rooms at Regina General Hospital and Pasqua Hospital.
“We have 18 operating rooms. They all need upgrades in their technology,” foundation president and CEO Dino Sophocleous said.
“Last year, we had over 26,000 operations at the Pasqua and at the General. It’s very very crucial we invest in the capacity in the hospitals, to deliver the best healthcare possible.”
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