John and Allison McDonald had endured a “year from hell” as their 15-year-old son Ewan battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma. 

But just days before Christmas the huge financial worries brought on by caring for their sick child were brought to an end when they matched all six numbers on a lucky dip ticket.

And three days later they received a call from Ewan’s consultant to say his latest scan showed no sign of cancer. 

Allison, 49, said: “You would never believe that being told you had won the lottery would only be the second best news you could receive in one week.” 

The family, from Stockton On Tees, said all their dreams have come true. 

John said: “What a start to 2020. Everyone always dreams of winning the lottery at Christmas but Allison and I never believed it would happen to us – and it has. And then to receive news that Ewan’s latest scans are all clear is just truly amazing. We are so thankful. 2020 is certainly looking like being one amazing year for the three of us.”

Ewan first fell ill with swollen glands last December and the cancer was diagnosed in May. 

This prompted an intense course of chemotherapy with Allison forced to give up work at an opticians to spend her time at her son’s bedside at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. 

This put them under a huge financial strain with John, 62, a security officer, forced to tackle 70-hour weeks to meet the cost of not only their household bills but the added expense of Allison having to stay at the hospital. 

He said: “Even when I visited it could easily cost £100 with petrol, parking and food costs. We have had to put everything on hold and every penny has been spent on being with our son.” 

Ewan, who is now aiming to resume his judo hobby and sit his GCSE exams this summer, is planning a career in medicine and prior to his illness had been keen to work in A&E. 

But he has now set his sights on becoming an oncologist to help give something back to the NHS and the “totally incredible” care he received while ill. 

John was at work on Thursday December 19 having a tea break when he checked his numbers from the previous evening’s draw when he realised he had won. 

The couple, who have been married for 18 years and have an older son and daughter and three grandchildren, insist they have no huge plans for their money other than taking early retirement and plan to buy a house.

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