Spare money in his pocket leads to big lottery win for Mississauga man

Published May 4, 2023 at 3:04 pm

Nelson Thiruchelvam is lucky he had some spare cash in his pocket one day back in early April.

The Mississauga man, who describes himself as an “occasional lottery player” who buys tickets only when he has money in his pocket, bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket that won a second prize of $166,437.50 in the April 8 draw.

“When I checked my ticket on the ticket checker at the store and saw ‘big winner,’ I didn’t believe it. I went to three different stores to be sure it was real,” Thiruchelvam said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “It was unbelievable. My heart was pumping, and my hands were trembling. I feel so grateful for this blessing.”

The lotto winner plans to use the money to pay bills.

“I am very happy,” he concluded.

The winning ticket was purchased at A&P Convenience, on Ceremonial Dr. in Mississauga.