Betfred Big Winner: Retiree wins cruise-for-two after Christmas Draw promo

It’s a case of ‘New Year, New Start’ for Betfred customer Phil Ward, who’s been struggling from acute illness of late.

Things suddenly look a lot brighter for 2024 after the retired railway worker won – without even having to place a bet – a cruise-for-two anywhere in the world.

Phil, 67, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, was randomly chosen as part of our £5m Christmas Draw promotion, whereby five customers would have won £1million each if there was snow on Christmas morning or if every team scored during the Premier League’s Boxing Day fixtures.

It didn’t snow at Heathrow Airport in London and all teams didn’t score, but big-hearted Betfred boss Fred Done played Santa and decided to give out free cruises instead.

After being told of his success, Phil’s wife Elaine, 66, broke down in tears as it coincides with their 45^th wedding anniversary.

Phil was on a kidney dialysis machine for five years before having a transplant, has suffered two heart attacks and has blood clots in his legs. He and Elaine have also just recovered from another bout of Covid.

But now the loving grandparents have a bit of respite and are busy deciding where to go and celebrate their anniversary.

Elaine said: “We were so surprised when, just after New Year, we got the phone call to say we had won. We’ve never won anything like this before.

“Phil has been having such a bad time of it, so this happened at just the right time.

“We normally go caravanning in Cornwall for our holidays. Now we can go anywhere we want in the whole world – and I quite fancy the Caribbean, which we’ve only been able to dream of visiting.”

Fred Done said:

“Phil’s been a customer of ours for 10 years or so and up to now has only ever enjoyed small wins, so it’s brilliant that he and his wife Elaine will get this once-in-a-lifetime luxury break.

“I’ve put £1,000 already in their account for spending money – and all they have to do now is check out the cruise line brochures and then it’s aboard for what will be a most memorable holiday that coincides with their anniversary.

“What a start to 2024 for this devoted couple.”