A lottery player who won £500,000 from a £3 scratchcard met a tragic end, with friends saying the windfall was the "worst thing" that could have happened to her. Helen Ford's heartbreaking story has emerged again following news of another lottery winner being rushed to hospital just three months after their massive jackpot.

Many people thought Helen, from the Welsh coastal town of Penarth, was incredibly fortunate after her big win. However, just weeks afterwards, she gave a devastating glimpse into how the money truly affected her.

Her lottery success came in September 2003 but she quickly disclosed she was battling manic depression, having been diagnosed with mental health problems at the age of 25.

In a remarkably candid interview shortly after claiming her half-million-pound pri

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