Hospitals home lottery winners wanted to support the foundation

There were a lot of “oohs” and “aahs” Friday as the winners of the Hospitals of Regina Foundation Home Lottery toured their new home in The Creeks.

Murray and Donna Brown were picked as the winners of the grand prize, and Murray says it didn’t quite click at first when he was told.

“I was actually out building a new fence yesterday when the phone rang. He told me he was from the foundation, asked me if I bought tickets and wanted my postal code, (and) I just said to him, ‘Why?’ ” he laughed. “I didn’t believe it until I was getting all the texts and voicemails that people had seen it on the news.”

The Browns have been buying tickets for years, not necessarily to win but to support the foundation. Murray’s father spent a lot of time in Regina hospitals and died when he was 56, Murray’s brother just went through cancer treatments, and Donna’s mother recently died. The two said hospitals are very important.

“We’re 2 1/2 hours away, (and the hospital in Regina) takes care of us there. It’s a big area it’s covering, and without it, what do we have?” said Donna.

The Browns’ family was in attendance, including their three kids — each with their spouses and their kids. All of them took a tour around the $1.4-million house and had a lot to say about the size and design.

“Just don’t pinch me, I’ll wake up from this dream,” joked Murray after he and Donna checked out the master bathroom.

The Browns aren’t sure what they’re going to do with the house. They live in Carlyle, as does their family, and they said they probably aren’t going to be moving to Regina.

“Just gotta let it sink in and decide,” said Murray.

Added Donna: “I wish it was closer to home.”

50/50 winners

The winners of the 50/50 prize were announced Friday as well. Andy and Gail Uleryk of Regina took home $418,677.50.

Gail and Andy Uleryk celebrated their Hospitals of Regina Foundation home lottery win Friday, with a cheque from the 50/50 for more than $418,000. May 10 2019 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

They said they’ll use some of it to pay off the new home they bought about a year and a half ago, but haven’t decided what to do with the rest yet.

The Uleryks also have been buying into the Hospitals of Regina Foundation’s home lottery for several years, ever since their daughter was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation.

They say they like their jobs so they won’t be retiring anytime soon, but the money will help out.

“Life will get easier, and I’ll continue to help and support the hospitals,” said Andy.