Double surprise for Arnott's Big Bikkies winners | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

A Stratford couple had a lot to celebrate last weekend - after winning $10,000 in a national competition they also became parents to a baby girl.

Vicki and Graham De'one, of Stratford, won $10,000 in the Arnott's $1 million promotion just hours before Vicki gave birth to a daughter, three weeks earlier than expected. The couple, who married in January, are celebrating their new arrival and addition to their large family of five children.

Graham, who works at the Taranaki Abattoir and Vicki recently purchased their first home together and plan to put the majority of the winnings towards paying off the house.

"It's come at the right time! It was a real blessing for us to win the competition," said Vicki. "This is really good - I was so surprised it was a bit of a shock! I enter a lot of competitions and never win so this was a lovely surprise," said Vicki.

The Arnott's promotion ran nationwide between July 24 and September 18, 2006. To enter, consumers were required to send in four barcodes or receipts showing purchase of Arnott's products. One entrant was randomly selected to win a guaranteed $10,000 and have a 1 in 100 chance to turn this into $1 million.

On Friday, October 6, Vicki and Graham were flown to Auckland, treated to a ride in a limousine to Arnott's head office for the draw and spent a night at SkyCity Grand Hotel.

Lisa Walker, Brand Manager for Arnott's Campbell's New Zealand, is thrilled the money is going to such a worthy family.

"We are so happy about this money going to this family at this special time. They are so deserving of it."