Kentish Express Ashford & District
Christmas comes early for postcode lottery winners
Thirteen lucky neighbours in Kennington have each scooped £30,000 because of their postcode.
The Guernsey Way winners, who play the People’s Postcode Lottery, won the Street Prize on Sunday.
Happy winner April Campbell said: “I signed up because I know that so much money goes to good causes, so it didn’t really matter if I won or not. I can’t believe that I actually have.
“I think my husband, Pete, and I will put a bit towards paying off the mortgage, and then we’ll have a fantastic Christmas and treat ourselves and our family to things we wouldn’t normally buy.”
Single mum Erika Maciulyte, 33, who works as a carer, would like to spend her winnings on a new home.
She said: “I cried when I saw the cheque for £30,000.
“I have two kids and being a single mum means it’s hard to save money to buy a house, but this will definitely help with that.
“It’s my little girl’s birthday soon, so I’ll plan a party for her.”
It was an emotional experience for resident Jessica Solly, 32, who said: “When I saw the people with red coats arrive on the street I had to tell myself to keep calm.
“I thought maybe I’d won £1,000, but when I opened the cheque and saw the extra zeros it was just so exciting.
“I’m going to visit my brother in South Africa and I’ll spoil my husband with a nice holiday.”
Susan Smith and Barry Cave are winners too, along with Nicola Harrison, who picked up the cheque on behalf of her husband, David.
The other seven winners on the street were unavailable to receive their cheques from People’s Postcode Lottery ambassadors Jeff Brazier and Danyl Johnson, but the prize money will be paid directly into their bank accounts.
Mr Brazier said: “What an amazing sum of money for one street. Danyl and I were rushed off our feet delivering golden cheques along Guernsey Way.”
The People’s Postcode Lottery has raised more than £246 million for more than 3,000 organisations across the UK and internationally. One player-supported cause was Wye Community Farm, which was awarded £1,600 this year to install renewable-energy facilities.