A loving grandad has gone viral after pledging to share his $25,000 a year for life lottery winnings with his granddaughter, 22 year old Kelly Thomas.
Peter Beckage who lives with his daughter won the N.C. Lottery game, Lucky for Life, after buying the ticket on April 14th claimed the jackpot prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh on April 24th.
"I knew if I ever won anything big, I would share it," he said. "I'm happy with the little wins, and I'm so happy this is a gift I can give her."
Beckage said he broke the news of his lottery win to his daughter by text message explaining the wonderful gift he had planned for his granddaughters future.
"Kelly, how would you like to have $25,000 a year for the rest of your life," Beckage asked his granddaughter when he returned home.
"To be able to focus on something I'm passionate about thanks to my grandpa is an amazing gift," she said. "I've always dreamed of being a Catholic school teacher and helping people. This money makes it possible for me."
Kelly went on to say she plans to make her grandfather proud by using the money to pay for tuition, books and food as she studies at school, according to lottery officials.
Thomas and Beckage could have taken a lump sum of $390,000 but opted for $25,000 a year for life which amounts to around $17,688 a year for life after taxes.
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