An Instant Scratch-Its ticket a Kanwal man received for his birthday sat in his car for more than six weeks before he scratched it and discovered a $25,000 top prize.

The top prize winning $2 Our Backyard Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at Donges Supa IGA, 159 Boorowa Street, Young.

“I still can’t believe this happened!” the winning man cheered when speaking with us this morning.

“It was a birthday present. My mum loves gifting Instant Scratch-Its.

“My birthday was in July. I read the card but didn’t scratch the Instant Scratch-It until about six weeks later.

“It was in my car the whole time!

“My partner gave it to me,and told me not to forget to scratch it.

“Once I finished scratching, I asked my partner to have a look.

“She started screaming, and off we went to our local outlet to make sure what we were seeing was correct!

“I was in complete disbelief. I couldn’t believe it at first.

“I even tried to store the winning ticket in my wallet for safekeeping.

“My wife told me to take it out of my wallet and tuck it away in a cupboard at home.

“We’re off to Melbourne to celebrate. I might pop some bubbles and have dinner with my wife.

“Thank you so much.”

Donges Supa IGA manager Wendy Silk said it was the first top prize winning Instant Scratch-Its ticket the outlet had sold.

“This is wonderful! We’ve sold a few winning tickets, but never one with an Instant Scratch-Its top prize.

“We’re so happy and excited that we’re able to enhance someone’s life.

“It’s so nice knowing that someone had a top prize win with a ticket we sold.

“Congratulations to our winner. We wish them all the very best with their future.”