Mom made a silent wish after passing by a 'wishing well' — had no idea it would come true the very next day
Sometimes, life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. For one mom, a quiet wish at a wishing well turned into a life-changing event, all within just 24 hours. As reported by PEOPLE, this unexpected moment of luck came to Rebecca Hulatt, a 43-year-old nurse from Laceby, UK, in August 2025. At the time, she had no idea that a simple walk with her son would lead to a moment she would remember forever.
Rebecca’s story truly began with an unexpected change of plans. A few days before a trip to the Peak District, her son Brandon’s old car broke down, forcing her to drive him and his friends instead. While waiting, Rebecca and Brandon decided to go for a short walk near Matlock Bath, a place they had always loved visiting together, as per Grimsby Live. During the walk, they came across a small wishing well hidden along the trail. On impulse, they each tossed in a 50p coin. Brandon wished for a new car, while Rebecca quietly wished “to come into some money.” Neither of them imagined that this small act would soon take on such meaning.
The very next day, reality shifted in a way Rebecca never expected. After finishing a long and tiring shift at the hospital, she "decided to unwind by playing a National Lottery Instant Win Game." Within moments, she realized she had won approximately $340,000. “I just couldn’t believe it,” she said, trying to process what had happened. The timing felt unreal, coming so soon after the visit to the wishing well.
One of Rebecca’s first decisions was to use the money to help her son. Brandon had been struggling with his unreliable car, so she surprised him with a brand-new Audi A1. “To think that both our wishes came true at the same time is just unbelievable,” she said. "The Peak District already held special memories for us, but now it feels like the most magical place in the world." Rebecca explained that the place now felt deeply meaningful to them, as if the walk itself had quietly led them toward their good fortune. Beyond the car, the win gave them freedom to plan more time together. Both are motorsport fans and enjoy spending weekends at racing tracks, something they now look forward to doing more often.
Looking ahead, Rebecca is focused on creating a calmer and more comfortable life. She has already placed an offer on a larger home with a garden, something she has dreamed of for years. Living in a small cottage left little room to enjoy her love for gardening. “Having a garden of my own feels like such a dream. I can’t wait to stretch my green fingers again and just spend time outdoors at home,” she said, looking ahead to enjoying more time outside. She hopes to host friends and family, enjoy the sunshine, and reconnect with simple pleasures. Andy Carter from Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, called the moment “almost unbelievable.” And further expressed, "Huge congratulations to Becki on her incredible £250k Instant Win Game prize."
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