National Lottery winner reveals how she will spend Set for Life jackpot on her two dogs

George Bunn
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:14:06 +0000

A 63-year-old professional dog groomer from Essex has scooped a National Lottery Set for Life prize worth £10,000 each month for an entire year and revealed how she will spend her winnings on her two pooches.

Tracy Dunn from Harwich credits fate rather than luck for her windfall, which came after a social media memory prompted her to purchase a ticket on March 5.

The date held special significance as exactly seven years earlier, she had won top-tier grooming equipment for her business.

When the old photograph appeared unexpectedly on her feed, she shared it with friends alongside the message: "Maybe it's a lucky day, better buy a National Lottery ticket."

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Ms Dunn said: "I'm not a regular player so I have to believe it was fate. It's an incredible thought, one casual moment, a split-second decision and now I'm going to have £10,000 paid into my bank account every month for the next 12 months."

Tracy's first instinct upon learning of her win was to consider how she might celebrate with her beloved Shih Tzus, Teddy PomPom and Benny Dimple.

"I lost my dad a few years back, my little dogs are my family so celebrating with them is my priority," she explained.

The four-legged brothers, affectionately dubbed The Hooligans due to their lively personalities, will soon be joining their owner on a seaside getaway.

Ms Dunn has already secured a coastal holiday cottage in Norfolk where the trio can unwind together.

"I've already found us a holiday cottage by the coast in Norfolk, somewhere Teddy PomPom, Benny Dimple and I can visit to chill out and plan the next 12 months," she said.

Beyond the Norfolk retreat, Tracy has ambitious travel plans that her monthly windfall will finally make possible.

Having operated her grooming business for over two decades, she found saving for holidays challenging since taking time off meant losing income

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"Now, thanks to a little nudge from fate, that problem has disappeared," she said.

With relatives in Australia, the Essex winner intends to visit them in style. "That's my first overseas trip when the time is right and I fully intend to fly First Class!" she declared.

Her years working aboard cruise liners left her with friends scattered across the globe, and Bermuda tops her destination list.

"There's a very smart hotel on a beach where the sand is pink, I'll be checking in there for sure!" Ms Dunn added.

Despite spending her days immersed in pet grooming, Ms Dunn has always appreciated life's luxuries, a taste she attributes to her cruise ship career.

Alongside purchasing premium shampoo for her canine companions, she has indulged in high-end skincare for herself.

"I might spend my days elbow deep in doggy fur and pet shampoo, but I have always enjoyed the finer things in life," she laughed.

"So, alongside some nice new doggie shampoo, I've splurged on the very best moisturizer available, more than £250 a pot. Each time I put it on I shall remember how lucky I have been."

Kathy Garrett, Senior Winners' Advisor at Allwyn, the National Lottery operator, offered her congratulations to the winner.

She said: "It’s always exciting meeting new winners and hear their stories, we know first hand that people from all walks of life and all corners of the country win, including dog groomers from Harwich.

"It sounds like Tracey, Teddy PomPom and Benny Dimple, are going to have some fun times ahead making amazing memories. We’re also absolutely delighted for them."