The New Year started off with a bang for Bridget Fraser.

On Dec. 31, she was the lucky winner of a $100,000 prize from the Heart and Stroke Foundation lottery.

“(It) changed my life in a big way,” she said.

The local resident has been receiving calendars as gifts from her parents for years, but had never won a prize like this.

She said she's looking forward to a year free from financial stress — it will allow her to focus her time and energy on other aspects of her life.

“Now I can breathe for a year and not have to work every day,” she stated. “I can actually take a couple of days off every week. Now I will concentrate on my health.

“I am giving myself this next year to get into the best shape that I have ever been in.”

Fraser also set aside some money to deal with debts, and purchased a new-to-her vehicle, complete with personalized plates.

Later this year, she would also like to take her three kids on a vacation.
Now that she's taken care of herself and her family, she would like to help others. Having purchased calendars for herself and her kids, she said she's confident someone in the family will win again.

“(Next) time, when I win, I will take the homeless off the streets. This is something that has to be done. I want to either buy or build a huge hostel where people can sleep, shower, and eat.”

Nancy Aldred of Azilda recently won a $30,000 prize from the same contest.

Posted by Arron Pickard