Barry Stewart, 45, and his wife Katie, 36, were left stunned when they discovered she’d landed a share of a £1 million prize.
The pleased parents say the money has opened up a world of possibilities – from a bigger home to dream holidays.
But for devoted Gers supporter Barry, there’s one extra item he’d love to sneak onto the list: more Rangers home games and even a European away day.
Barry said: “This has changed our life, it honestly has.
“I could have more trips to see Rangers. Maybe even a European away day.”
Katie quickly quipped: “Aw no, here we go. I was waiting for him to say a Rangers season ticket, which is an absolute no.”
SIMPLY THE BEST WIFE: Barry holds aloft Katie’s cheque alongside Danyl Johnson (Image: Supplied)
The couple stay in Cambridgeshire and Katie was among eight neighbours celebrating when CB6 2GL landed the lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday 21 February. Each ticket was worth £125,000.
Facilities manager Barry, originally from Burghead, Moray, says the win has transformed the lives of his family – the newlyweds share four children – and their youngest Sienna recently celebrated her ninth birthday.
Previous attempts at getting himself a Rangers season ticket fell on deaf ears, but now Barry sees an opportunity to make the 700-mile-round trip more regularly.
He said: “I’d definitely like more trips to Ibrox, and maybe I could even go on a European away day. We’ll see if I can do some convincing.
“I’ve had 15 years’ service at work and last year they offered to buy me a season ticket and let me have Saturdays off. And she said, ‘You’re not getting a season ticket’.”
Barry laughed and added: “So, they bought us a holiday instead. And on that holiday Rangers got beat. A week away in Cyprus, and I watched Rangers get beat on TV. Holiday ruined.”
For the Stewarts, the timing of their win could not have been better. The couple tied the knot only a few months ago, having prioritised getting settled into their current home first.
Barry said: “Katie wanted the house before the wedding. So, we did all that, got ourselves sorted, and then literally the wedding was a few months ago, which took a lot of our savings.
“This is so nice because it takes years to build up that cash again. We’ve got a big family meal coming up as well – so it’s just come at a really good time.”
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Katie already has her eye on the next step up the property ladder.
She said: “We want a bigger house. One of the new ones over the road with four bedrooms. Those houses have got a study too.”
Barry grinned as he filled in the details. He said: “She can have the study for running her nail salon business – Nails by Katie.
“That’s what she wants – somewhere properly set up. And I’ll get a bigger kitchen because I do all the cooking.
“We live within our means, don’t we? You work hard and you plan, but sometimes it feels like it takes forever to build things up. But this gives us options.”
STREET PARTY: Barry celebrates with other lucky neighbours sharing £1m prize as Rangers fan hopes wife will fund Ibrox trips after £125k lottery win (Image: Supplied)
Their nine-year-old daughter Sienna is equally enthusiastic about the idea of upgrading their home. But for her, there is one major condition – and a blue bear won’t cut it.
Sienna said: “They said if we can maybe get a bigger house, we can get a puppy!”
The family are also dreaming of sunshine. Barry is determined to take Katie to Walt Disney World in Florida – a place he visited as a teenager.
Barry said: “I went there with my mum and dad and my brother nearly 30 years ago. I’ve always wanted to take her and the kids. They’d absolutely love it.”
With a holiday already booked for April – which coincides with Katie’s birthday – Barry hinted they may upgrade their plans.
He said: “We’ll do something special.”
