£50k bingo jackpot winning Inverness mum-of-two plans to spend money on family

An overjoyed mum of two who won £50,000 on the bingo in Inverness intends to use the money to help her wider family and own children.

Caitlin Neilson (22) says her big win at Carlton Bingo this week was “like a dream” and she already plans to put her winnings to good use.

As well as clearing her debts, she plans to put some money aside for her children, aged three and 17 months, and also give some to her beloved nana who has “helped me so much over these last few years”.

A much deserved holiday is also on the cards after the jackpot win on the National Bingo Game.

“It feels so unreal, and it is like I am living a dream,” explained Caitlin, who had never won more than a few hundred pounds on the bingo before. “It means I can go away on holiday, pay off all my debts and save some money for my children for the future, I love playing bingo and having worked at the club previously it is like one big happy family”.

She continued: “A family member introduced me to bingo when I was 19 years old. I was a regular customer there for a while and then I applied for a job at Carlton and I absolutely loved it. The team at Beechwood Carlton are fantastic. The management were so understanding when I was pregnant with my son and gave me lighter duties to do. I couldn’t have been more grateful for my time at Carlton when I was working there.”

“I went to play bingo on July 9 with some family members and we were all having a good laugh. And then it came down to the national game and all my numbers were coming out one by one in the box. I thought nothing of it as I got down to three numbers in my box and I thought numbers would start coming out in other boxes.

“But it didn’t - they just came out, and I was waiting for number 32 and as soon as I heard it I shouted “ house “ and then doubted myself thinking I might have dabbed the wrong numbers.

“I was shaking I was so shocked. But I’m absolutely delighted to have won it. I felt like I was in a dream and that it wasn’t real but it really was. I couldn’t really focus properly after I won the jackpot.”

She added that the £50,000 prize was a big shock because “the most I’ve ever won from bingo was £475 on a cash card plus game when it was St Patrick’s day a few years ago.

“And I had won a leprechaun and Sam McKenzie, the manager of Inverness Carlton said, ‘You never know it might bring you some luck’. And she was right - that was my biggest win until I hit the jackpot.”

She added that after the £50,000 win “Sam took me upstairs to go over paper work and stuff with the win and I was still shaking, so my signature was a bit off.”

“I’ll be clearing my debts and putting money in both my children’s bank accounts for them for when they get older.

“I’m going to give some to my Nana too. She’s helped me so much over these last few years and it would help her too. She’s also my only grandparent I have left.

“And I think a break away is definitely needed.”

Reacting to Caitlin’s win, Sam, who was manager on duty on the night, said: “We are all delighted for Caitlin and look forward to hosting a celebration party for her and our customers soon.”

Alastair Stewart, head of commercial operations at the National Bingo Game said: “We are thrilled for our lucky National Bingo Game £50,000 Jackpot winner at Carlton Bingo in Inverness. We hope that Caitlin and her family enjoy the winnings.”

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