Lower Hutt local wins dream trip for two to UK

Maths teacher Ian Dopson is calculating his annual leave as he prepares for the unexpected trip of a lifetime.

Mr Dopson or ‘Mr D’, as he has been known to students at Lower Hutt’s Naenae College for the last fifteen years is the lucky winner of two return flights to London to be part of the official Blackcaps Twenty20 supporters’ tour.

Asked how he got so lucky, Mr Dopson’s response was “I am just a customer of State insurance”.

“This is just magic, so out of the blue. I didn’t even realise I was in to win. I’ve had insurance with State for my car and house for years so I was automatically entered into the competition. I’ve only ever been burgled once and State sorted everything out for me at the time”.

“Some of my students knew about this Twenty20 competition so they were pretty blown away when I told them,” said Mr Dopson.

“I’ve been walking around school with this big grin on my face. I still can’t believe it. My partner and I are huge fans of the one day matches and we both haven’t been to the UK since we were students. We are planning our leave – this will certainly help us get through the kiwi winter,” said Mr Dopson.

“We are thrilled for our Mr D. As a maths teacher, he’s been marvelling about the probability of winning a competition with over a million entrants. It truly is a one in a million opportunity,” said Principal John Russell.

The prize is for a return trip for two to London ex Wellington flying Air New Zealand, $1500 spending money, free travel insurance, accommodation and breakfast for 12 nights and tickets to all the matches. Customers of State insurance were automatically entered into the draw to win this cricket lover’s dream trip.