Disney dream comes true for family after £1m EuroMillions Win

Disney dream comes true for family after £1m EuroMillions Win After months of hospital appointments and worry over their new-born's health, Matt Cole and Courtney Cockerton are swapping medical trips for a dream family holiday after their life-changing lottery win. A £1million lottery win came after months of heartbreak for one young family. Matt Cole, 41, and his fiancée Courtney Cockerton, 27, saw their lives change overnight after scooping the life-changing prize just weeks after watching their baby son undergo major surgery. The Horsham couple described the past few months as “really difficult” after five-month-old Rupert underwent a five-hour operation at just 12 weeks old to repair a cleft lip and palate. Now, instead of making regular trips to Evelina London Children’s Hospital for appointments, the family are planning a very different journey - taking Rupert and his two-and-a-half-year-old sister Ivy on a dream holiday to Disneyland Paris. Matt, who works as a quality assurance tester in insurance, said: “It’s been a really difficult few months. We knew before Rupert was born that he would need surgery, but nothing can truly prepare you for seeing your baby go through a five-hour operation at such a young age and having to stay in hospital overnight. “We’ve been incredibly fortunate that Rupert fed so well when he was born, as cleft conditions can often make feeding difficult. The support we’ve received from NHS staff has been amazing and we’re so grateful for everything they’ve done for us.” Courtney said the experience had affected the whole family and praised daughter Ivy for being a “wonderful” big sister throughout Rupert’s treatment. She said: “Ivy is only two and a half, but she’s been absolutely brilliant. She’s taken everything in her stride and is so caring towards Rupert. We’ve always dreamt of taking her to Disneyland Paris and seeing her face light up when she meets her favourite characters. "Now, thanks to this incredible win, that’s the first thing on our list.” On top of their plans to create special family members, the couple plan to use the money to buy a new home and a new car, saying the win has given them greater security for the future. Matt won the £1million prize after matching the UK Millionaire Maker code on a Lucky Dip ticket and could not believe his luck. He said: “Through everything that has been happening, I still managed to find time to buy a EuroMillions Lucky Dip ticket. I’m so glad I did - I could never have imagined what would happen next. When I realised I’d won £1M, I genuinely couldn’t believe it. I checked it over and over again. Even now it still hasn’t properly sunk in. “Our family and friends have been just as shocked as we are about the win, but they’re absolutely over the moon for us. After everything we’ve been through recently, it feels like we’ve had a really lucky break.” Dean O’Field, Winner Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: “Matt, Courtney, Rupert and Ivy are such a wonderful family, and I’m absolutely delighted for them. "After what has been a difficult few months, it’s fantastic to see them win this incredible amount of money and see them start making some lovely plans together as a family. It really goes to show, it could be you!”