A cancer survivor is planning to help her community after bagging £40 million in the lottery.
Grandma Patricia Warden said she battled drug addiction for a long time before going into recovery 25 years ago.
In addition, she also overcame cancer as a young adult.
After winning £40million (CAD 70m) in the lottery, the 49-year-old now plans to help those less fortunate in her community.
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Patricia, who comes from the Canadian capital Ottawa, won the jackpot on the Lotto Max draw.
She picked up her cheque from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on 28 June.
She said she “lost it and started screaming” when she found out she matched all seven numbers.
Patricia said: “My husband heard the commotion, saw my face turn red, and came running to prevent me from falling off the deck.
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“My knees went weak, and I thought I was going to fall again.
“I kept thinking this was a dream and I was going to wake up and find it wasn’t true.”
She added: “I knew right away how much this win would impact my life and the lives of my children and grandchildren.
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“My kids were so excited, emotional, and filled with gratitude.”
Warden now plans to help those less fortunate in her neighbourhood.
She explained that she “was a teen mother, faced cancer as a young adult, overcame drug addiction, and have been sober for more than 25 years”.
She now wants to buy a house for her daughter and a new home for herself, husband, their two children, and her mum.
Warden explained: “I want to keep my family close.
“Our multi-generational household has a wonderful dynamic and I want to find a house that will accommodate all of our needs.”
She said she wants to help people with autism and those struggling with addiction.
Warden, who has been a long-time advocate for autism support programmes, said: “I believe everyone deserves love. I live by the philosophy of love first.
“I am a recovered and a recovering addict.
“It’s important to me to show others they can do it too, with access to the right support.
“I was blessed to have the love and support of my mum to get and stay sober.
“I feel compelled to try to support others who want to do the same for themselves.”
She added that she hasn’t “had a good night’s sleep” since scooping the jackpot.
Warden bought her winning ticket at the Mr. Gas petrol station on Ogilvie Road in Ottawa, as reported by What’s the Jam.
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