A couple from Devon just won a life-changing £200,000 with the People's Postcode Lottery when suddenly they had a big problem at home. Gary and his wife Elaine were in their Woolwell house when they found out they had won a share of £1 million. But at the same time, they had a leak in their bathroom!
Gary, who fixes appliances, couldn't believe their luck. He said, "It's one of those things that you never dream of it happening, but it has to me. I'm over the moon."
They're now thinking about sunny holidays, helping out family and friends, and fixing up their house.
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Gary and four of his neighbours in Woolwell got lucky because their postcode, PL6 7SU, won the Millionaire Street prize. Just before winning, Gary got a call saying the Postcode Lottery people would come over. But on the morning they were supposed to arrive, Elaine found the leak, and it was all hands on deck. Gary shared, "It's been quite a day. We were waiting on the Postcode Lottery coming and then Elaine found a leak in the ceiling, so it's been a bit of a crisis."
Elaine had a surprise when she called her plumber nephew Corben to help, but he got an even bigger shock a TV crew was there with a big cheque for Gary. Corben, who runs his own plumbing business, said: "I literally didn't even know. No one had even told me that the Postcode Lottery were coming, everyone in the family knew but me. To be there and watch him get that, it's unbelievable. Mental money."
Corben joked about raising their bill but then said he wouldn't charge them because they're family. He said: "I'm buzzing for them, it's life-changing. But I can't charge them - it's my auntie and uncle, isn't it?"
Gary's already thinking about fun trips with his new winnings. He's planning to go to Benidorm soon and wants to take more holidays, like playing golf in Portugal or watching football there, if his wife says yes. He shared: "I'll go and play golf in Portugal and maybe go to a football tournament in Portugal. Maybe. If I'm allowed."
He also wants to treat Elaine and make her happy. Gary plans to give her a spa weekend in Bath with her sister and niece. He said, "I'll treat her to a spa weekend in Bath - for her, her sister and niece."
Gary, who loves golf and football, is excited to use some of his lottery money for trips with his mates from Pennycross Sports and Social Club and his father-in-law. They go to Portugal every year for golf and to play football against Elburton Villa Veterans. Gary joked about showing off his big cheque to his friends on WhatsApp, saying: "I do a yearly golfing trip with friends from Pennycross Sports and Social Club and my father-in-law. We also have a Veteran's football tournament across there where we'll play against Elburton Villa Veterans. I'll put a picture of my cheque on the WhatsApp group and see what they all say. I think they'll be a bit surprised."
After living on their street for 12 years, Gary and his wife couldn't believe that four of their neighbours also won £200,000 each. Gary was amazed by the win, commenting, "I just can't believe the amount and the people that have won it on the street as well."
Julie, who used to be a carer, was lost for words when she won £200,000. She felt like it was a dream and said: "It's surreal. I can't put into words how I'm feeling. It will really make a difference." The excitement wasn't just for Julie; her dog Lulu was curious about the fuss too.
Lulu, Julie's big Leonberger dog, seemed very happy when the camera crew came to visit. Julie thinks Lulu felt like she had won the lottery as well, sharing, "She's a big softy and she was really happy to have a camera crew in her garden. I'm sure she felt she'd won the lottery too."
The prize money is also going to help with Lulu's meals, as Julie explained that feeding her costs quite a bit. She said, "It might just cover Lulu's food for the year. She eats two kilos of raw meat a day. She goes everywhere with me and has been my rock recently."
Julie is now planning a trip to Australia, and a shorter journey to visit her son across the Irish Sea. She said, "I'd love to go visit my cousin in Australia and spend time away but first I'll visit my son in Belfast."
Another neighbour, Mary, was also celebrating a six-figure windfall. Upon seeing her cheque, Mary exclaimed, "Wow! That's enough, I can even spoil myself now."
The first thing on her mind was to help her family, including her sister, three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She said, "It's always family. It'll be great to be able to help them out."
Caring Mary wants to help with vet bills for her sister's poorly pooch. She said: "My sister's 11-year-old dog Darcy had to get her back leg amputated on Friday last week. The pet insurance only covered some of the costs so I can help pay for some of the extra costs of Darcy's ongoing treatment."
The huge windfall will mean Mary will also be able to spoil herself. She said, "I can decorate the house, have the garden revamped and buy a new car. "My children are always telling me I must have a new car because it's so old."
The first thing on her mind was to help her family, including her sister, three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She said, "It's always family. It'll be great to be able to help them out."
Adrienne also scooped £200,000 and will be celebrating a big birthday this year. The great-gran-of-nine said: "I'd have been thrilled to win a tenner, but I can't believe this!"
After returning from her swim club, Adrienne discovered she had hit the jackpot. She confidently stated, "]For my 80th we're hoping to go to a spa, and now I could even treat everyone who comes along.[" Adrienne plans not only to spoil her grandchildren but also to embark on a cruise to Tenerife to see her two sisters.
All the neighbours signed up for People's Postcode Lottery because they wanted to help local, national and international charities.
Hearts Together, a charity based in Derriford, has been given £70,000 by the Postcode Community Trust. The charity offers a home-like place to stay and other helpful services at its Hearts Together Hospital Hotel in Plymouth. It helps people who are getting medical care or visiting someone in hospital. Every year, it supports between 7,500 and 10,000 families and has been doing so since 2001.
Liz Harding, CEO of Hearts Together, said, "Demand for our services is continuing to grow year on year. In 2023 alone we had over 4,000 requests for overnight stays that we were unable to accommodate. Due to the continued high demand, we have ambitious expansion plans, and we need everyone's support to make these plans a reality."
During lockdown, Liz stoically ensured the continued provision of the charity's services, with Hearts Together additionally supporting the NHS during this time by providing space for short-term interim patients. More than 140 were moved over from the local hospital, cared for and returned home.
"Thanks to vital funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery we've been able to take a huge step towards our ambitious expansion plans named The Big Build, which will meet increasing demand head-on," Liz added.
During lockdown, Liz made sure the charity could keep helping people. Hearts Together also helped the NHS by providing a place for short-term patients. More than 140 were moved from the local hospital, looked after and then sent home.
"Thanks to money raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery, we've been able to take a big step towards our big expansion plans called The Big Build, which will help us meet the growing demand," Liz added.
"We're aiming to expand our services across the board, from offering bespoke apartments for extended stays and implementing more wellbeing community support programmes for those dealing with complex health challenges. The funding we have been awarded takes us much closer to achieving our end goal."
"We're aiming to expand our services across the board, from offering bespoke apartments for extended stays and implementing more wellbeing community support programmes for those dealing with complex health challenges. The funding we have been awarded takes us much closer to achieving our end goal."
Other charities in the Woolwell area receiving funding thanks to Saturday's Millionaire Street prize win include:
Plymouth Sports Charity Limited - £30,000 This charity helps local people with physical and mental health challenges through community projects to become more active, build self-confidence and gain qualifications to help with employment. They run a variety of sports-related projects within the local communities of Plymouth and neighbouring cities.
The Chestnut Appeal - £30,000 The Chestnut Appeal works to highlight the most common cancers in men. They also raise funds for the latest equipment to aid with treatment, as well as funding the work of specialist nurses. The charity believes that it's vital to get more men talking about their health and acting when they feel like something could be wrong.
