An unclaimed £1million jackpot Lotto ticket has led to an imaginative appeal for the owner – using Richmond-based US series Ted Lasso as inspiration.
Lottery organisers Allwyn are searching for the ticketholder, who selected numbers 4, 8, 10, 17, 23, 28 and a Bonus Ball of 16 on Wednesday 19 August at a Richmond retailer.
The prize draw operators playfully evoke the optimistic philosophy of Ted Lasso, using his ‘Believe’ slogan alongside football-themed imagery in their campaign.
Toby Moxham, head of winners’ services at Allwyn, said: “If Ted Lasso has taught us anything, it’s the power of believing.
“Someone in Richmond has hit the back of the net with their Lotto numbers and is sitting on £1M.”
Moxham is calling for everyone who purchased a ticket from the south-west London borough on the auspicious date to check it again.
He added: “Speak to your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours – we believe we can find our missing winner, but we need the public to help us.”
The ticketholder has until 15 February 2027 to claim their prize.
Ted Lasso is a sports-comedy drama, which stars Jason Sudeikis as an inexperienced American football coach hired to manage fictitious Premier League club, AFC Richmond.
A number of high value tickets go unclaimed – including a staggering £12million in Rhondda Cynon Taf, south-east Wales while a £10.6million jackpot was forfeited in Bexley, south-east London.
If the 180-day deadline passes without a claimant coming forward, the prize money will be distributed amongst good causes across the UK.
The Lottery raises around £33million weekly for various charitable projects which focus on areas such as the arts, sports, local community groups and preservation of cultural landmarks.
The Lotto has already created 130 millionaires this year, including seven winners two weeks ago.
One lucky individual scooped a £7.8million jackpot on 9 September, followed by another who netted £12million on 12 September.
True believers should make themselves known by calling the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email [email protected].
Featured image: DON’T STOP BELIEVING: Lottery organisers hope to ‘lasso’ owner of unclaimed ticket with AFC Richmond appeal. Credit: Jack Hall/PA Media Assignments
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