Local supermarket helps make a Christmas to remember

Spollen's Centra in Glasson helped a young mum to enjoy a Christmas Day she will never forget after she scooped €50,000 on a National Lottery scratch card bought in the local store.

Ciara Douglas, (26), from Lucan, Co. Dublin, told how she saw her dreams of having her own home realised early on Christmas morning when she scratched a National Lottery All Cash Platinum scratch card gifted by her sister, Orla.

“My 20-month-old son Caleb was up early unwrapping his Santa presents under the Christmas tree and I was there in my pyjamas and decided to open my presents also. Orla had given me a scratch card as part of my Christmas present, and I could not believe my eyes when I saw I had won €50,000.”

“There were roars and shouts coming from the sitting room, the entire family was up and full of excitement. Just to be sure, I went down to my local Texaco petrol station around 8am to have the card checked. After that Christmas Day was simply a blur. The excitement was unreal.”

Ciara, who is a single mum, has been working as a social care worker at St Michael’s House in Raheny since March and has been living at home with her family in order to save money for a house.

“There are eight of us living at home at the moment. I had estimated that it would have taken me five years to save enough for a house deposit, but this amazing win means I will probably have my own house in 2018. I am overwhelmed. This really is a dream come through,” an emotional Ciara said.

Ciara and Orla came into National Lottery headquarters on Thursday last to claim the prize.

“We might pay a visit to the shops and see if there are any bargains in the sales before we go home!” a thrilled Ciara said.The winning scratch card was purchased in Spollens (Centra) Supermarket in Glasson, Athlone.