3 minute read • Winners
A Little Still Goes A Long Way - Luke's Incredible Win
When Luke received the call telling him he’d won the MS Lotteries Grand Prize Package, he made sure to put Lotteries Manager, Alex Fisher on speaker so his wife could share in the news.
“It was a little surreal to get the call and when Alex said I’d won a prize,” Luke says. “I thought she meant second or third. When my wife heard the news we were both a bit shocked and numb, but obviously extremely grateful.”
For Luke, his $160,000 Grand Prize Package was the icing on the cake for his ongoing support for the 1 in 4 Queenslanders living with neurological conditions.
“I’ve been a supporter for more than ten years,” says Luke. “You see or read these stories about people winning and you’re like are these people real? Did they even win?”
“You have a brief, dreamy moment every time a draw is announced, but I never go into them with the intention of winning, even with the very good odds through the limited number of tickets.”
As the dedicated owner of a service-based business, Luke’s philosophy has always been about helping others where he can.
“The reason I chose MS Lotteries was because I can’t imagine how horrible it must be to live with MS,” Luke explains. “I’ve known people who have had it and it’s just so unfair.”
“There are cures for many things out there but not MS. They can make life comfortable for you but there’s no magic pill. What MS Queensland does is outstanding so I thought well, maybe I can help in my own little way.”
Luke’s support of MS Queensland also extends to our MS Brissie to the Bay bike ride, which he undertakes each year with his children.
“I wanted to do a bit more, so decided to take part in the rides,” he says. “A big part of it is getting to chat with the other riders, to find out why they’re riding, and who they're riding for.”
“Everyone has different reasons, but everyone has one. It might be their dad’s got MS, or their cousin, or uncle. The riders are putting themselves through a little bit of pain or discomfort in the short term to support people they know.”
“It’s nice to hear those stories, and for my kids to hear them too, especially when they ask me what are we doing this for? These stories are why we’re doing it. These people are going to need this money because they’re a lot less fortunate than us – if it means doing something physical, something monetary, or both, let’s give them a hand. It’s a good parenting and teaching moment.”
As for his win, Luke says the prize will allow him and his family to improve their lives now, and plan for the future - especially the future of his three children.
“It’s going to make us just that little bit more comfortable,” he says. “We’re going to finish off some renovations and get some things done around the house - those projects you always tell yourself you’re going to finish but never do!”
“We’ve also been talking about helping the kids out a bit. When something like this comes out of the blue for you, it’s a perfect opportunity to be able to pass that on, to share that fortune and that blessing.”
As for people thinking about supporting MS Lotteries, Luke has a view that reflects his outlook on life.
“A little is a little,” he says, “but a little still goes a long way.”
“Sure, there have been tough times when our budget has been tight, and you think about cutting back on things. But then I think about what MS Queensland is doing with the money, how they’re helping people less fortunate than me in remarkable ways.”
“It’s a little bit of money, but a little means a lot. There’s no magic cure for MS and we’re still a long way from where we need to be.”
From everyone at MS Queensland: thank you, Luke for your ongoing support. Congratulations on your win, and all the best to you and your family for the future.