A EuroMillions winning cancer patient who scooped up a £1million prize originally thought his win was a scam after receiving an urgent email from the National Lottery.
Paul Harvey, a 51-year-old single dad from Norfolk - after recently having treatment for bowel cancer - had his life completely transformed after realising the "urgent email" informing him that he had just won an extraordinary £1million from the National lottery was not a scam.
Harvey had previously believed that his win consisted of £5 and a lucky dip, before continuing his day as usual.
It was only when he read the email again and realised the phone number matched the National Lottery line that he checked on google, which prompted his excitement to build.
He said: "Life hasn’t always been easy, but the kids mean the world to me, and they always come first", before emphasising how much of a life changing effect this win is going to have on him and his two children.
He plans to take them all to Greece after revealing that they had never been abroad together before.
The choice of destination is "a dream come true" and is understandable as Harvey speaks fluent Greek after spending 12 years living in Cyprus before having children.
PA
|A EuroMillions winning cancer patient who scooped up a £1million prize originally thought his win was a scam after receiving an urgent email from the National Lottery
He added: "It felt like forever waiting for the kids to get home from school so I could break the news.
"Their reactions were heartwarming and hilarious. We all feel ridiculously excited and relieved in equal measure. It just doesn't seem real."
A lump built in Harvey’s throat as he prepared to tell his son about the big news which he set up his phone to record in their family home in Attleborough.
He recorded his son's "hilarious and heartwarming" reaction to finding out they have become millionaires.
PA
|Paul Harvey scooped up the life-changing amount last month
He shared the news by asking his son: "How many millionaires do you know?” in which his son replied, "Zero". “Well you do now, I swear on my life” he responded.
Harvey explained: "I do like to joke but when I say those words, my kids know to take it seriously."
The video captured the pair sharing the special moment and celebrating by shouting and wrapping their arms around one another.
Harvey also wants to help his two children achieve their dreams and have the best start in life possible.
PA
|Paul Harvey intends to buy his daughter a second hand car
He intends to buy his daughter "a second hand fiat 500 to learn to drive in for her upcoming driving test later this year".
His children both “have big aspirations for when they finish education” so Harvey wants to support them to "pursue whatever career they choose" and this Euromillions Million Maker win is going to help this happen.
Their current home has insufficient rooms for all of them to sleep properly, so Harvey said: “This win gives us so many more options”, meaning they now have the opportunity to move into a house that allows Harvey to have his own bedroom to himself.
Although this unexpected win is life changing for Harvey and his family, he said "I want to take my time and do it right."