Mason’s $1-million win sparks hope for daughter’s education

Starting a cookshop business was at the top of Ralph Bascoe's mind. The 63-year-old mason from St Thomas was among 10 grand prize winners of $1 million in the recently concluded Digicel 'Christmas is a 10' promotion.

Bascoe was overjoyed about receiving the unexpected jackpot. "I have to give God thanks and praise, because Digicel has surely delivered this holiday," he said.

This victory marked his first-ever win, coming at a crucial time when Bascoe struggled financially to pay school fees for his 15-year-old daughter. The money came days after promising the teen a laptop he then could not afford. He said the funds will go a far way towards supporting his daughter through school, while he establishes a college fund for her with proceeds from the cookshop business.

As he begins the new year with renewed hope, Bascoe stated, "This win has given me the encouragement I needed for 2024 and beyond. I want my children to have a much better life than I did, and this is definitely a start to changing our lives for the better."

In addition to the cash, Digicel+ gifted Bascoe a new laptop to help his daughter to fulfil her academic goals.

The 'Christmas is a 10' promotion ran from November 10 to December 26, 2023, featuring exciting fun days in several towns, drone drops with iPhones and other prizes on board, as well as daily and weekly prizes. These activities saw Digicel customers winning over $50 million in cash and prizes from November 10 to December 27, 2023. The campaign wrapped up Digicel's year of giveback of more than $200 million in cash and prizes to over 40,000 customers islandwide.

A bubbly and energetic Digicel+ customer, Kimberly Gray, was among 10 lucky winners of a smart fridge and TV. Having recently relocated from Negril, Westmoreland, to Kingston for work, for Gray, the gifts came at the right time.

"This Christmas I had a lot of leftovers and was concerned about the space in my fridge. I even joked to my friends recently about needing a TV for my room. It is so amazing that Digicel has made these wishes come true in a matter of days, and I am thrilled to transform my space with these new appliances," she said.

Ten lucky Digicel customers under 21 years of age also walked away with prizes. Among them was 13-year-old Damarle Gordon, who won a PS5 gaming console. Gordon, who aspires to become a professional footballer, described his prize as "the perfect Christmas gift".

"I feel very happy to be a winner. When I got the call, it was very unexpected. I always wanted a PS5, and I am so glad that I won. I am looking forward to playing more games, especially with my younger brother," the FIFA e-sports game lover said.