Sunday, May 31, 2009

dying man wins bet he would live

An Englishman diagnosed with terminal cancer has collected a second winning payout of £5,000 after betting he would stay alive. 59 year old Jon Matthews was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer, in 2006 and told he had months to live.

He placed two bets, each with a £100 stake at odds of 50/1, that he would be alive in June 2008 and in June 2009.

William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said it was the first bet of its kind they had seen. Matthews aproached the betting agency saying it would give him an additional incentive to battle his illness.

"Never in 30 years in the business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client £10,000" said Sharpe.

A third wager will earn him a further £10,000 if he lives until 1 June 2010.

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