Nottingham Post

Prize cash on delivery Yule love a Christmas payout

LIVE IN A LUCKY LOTTERY NEIGHBOURH­OOD? A SPECIAL ENVELOPE DROPPING IN YOUR LETTERBOX COULD BRINGLOTS OF LOVELY LOLLY…

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DELIGHTED duo Margaret and Graham felt like royalty after scooping a fantastic £60,000 on People’s Postcode Lottery.

The lucky couple from King Street in Mansfield both play with a ticket and were thrilled when they each won £30,000.

“We are absolutely delighted” said Margaret, after opening the golden envelope that had dropped through her front door to reveal the good news. “We’ll be celebratin­g with a lager shandy – but I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”

TREATING THE KIDS

The couple – two of nine winners from their street – are still trying to decide how they will spend their winnings, though Margaret reckoned she needed a new hairdryer! But she smiled: “I think we’ll try and bring together friends that we haven’t seen in a while and celebrate with them, then take it from there.”

Graham has already spent the money ten times over in his head – and still can’t make up his mind about what to do: “We moved house just before lockdown began so it’s come at a perfect time.

“We want to celebrate and use some money for luxury things, but we want to be sensible. We have three young grandkids and two children, so they’ll definitely want treating.”

Neighbour Smita is just as thrilled with her prize, which she says still feels unreal: “I can’t digest the fact that I have won.

“My two young children have a list of things already, from games and toys to scooters and skateboard­s. I’m looking forward to treating them.”

Smita revealed she will also give part of her winnings to charity: “I’m from India and my husband is from Sri Lanka. There are a lot of people there who aren’t looked after how we are, so we’d love to help. It’s lovely to share the money with those who don’t have as much as we do.

“It’s amazing. I’m over the moon, it feels really, really wonderful.”

The King Street win was the second in the area – in another just two miles away eight people shared £240,000 only the day before!

Street prize presenter Matt Johnson revealed the news to the Mansfield winners in a video call and said: “Over half a million pounds in two days for one area is pretty incredible. I hope everyone enjoys spending their prize money and treats themselves – I’m sure there will be a few celebratio­ns in Mansfield over the next few weeks.”

TEN neighbours from Blackburn had a very merry Christmas last year when they each won a dazzling £150,000.

And this year there’ll be even more lucky winners who will be looking at a People’s Postcode Lottery win to make the Christmas season sparkle for them too.

CHEERED UP

Winner Elsie, who’d recently lost her husband James, said she hadn’t been looking forward to the festive season at all – but the win had cheered her up no end, and that James was looking down at her as she enjoyed her success.

“I can’t express how happy I am and knowing that it goes to good causes makes it so great,” she said of People’s Postcode Lottery. I’ll definitely be treating my daughters and granddaugh­ters.”

And Elsie had some more special plans for her win.

“My brother died in Orkney during the war,” she revealed. “They have his name on a memorial there but I've never been, so I’ll be able to go and see it for myself.”

The win enabled Nigel to give up work: “I’ve worked in the same place for over ten years and they’re a great company but

I’m ready for retirement.

“My wife Catherine has always dreamt of a trip on the Orient Express, so we might actually do that.”

And Keri burst into tears when she realised she’d be able to pay off her mortgage.

Martin and Kellie planned to return to Jamaica where they’d got married. “It feels like a dream,” added Kellie.

For Craig it was an especially glittering prize, having already won £6,000 before: “Last time I won my partner and I went to Cuba,” he added, “so we’ll have to think about where to go now.

It’s the perfect time of year to win.”

A share of the £3million total prize pot was also won by 1,691 other players, with winnings ranging from £776 to £4,656 depending on the number of tickets that they played with. So if you aren’t playing the People’s Postcode Lottery maybe now is the time to do it and, like our Blackburn winners, you could be treating yourself to the best Christmas present ever.

I’m really happy the money goes to all those good causes Elsie from Blackburn Won £150,000

 ??  ?? CASH COUPLE Graham and Margaret are in the money
CASH COUPLE Graham and Margaret are in the money
 ??  ?? CHEQUE IT OUT Prize-giver Matt
CHEQUE IT OUT Prize-giver Matt
 ??  ?? UNREAL Smita is over the moon
UNREAL Smita is over the moon
 ??  ?? BLACKBURN BONANZA Prize presenter Matt Johnson gives Elsie her bumper cheque
Martin and Kellie had plan to visit romantic Jamaica Smiling Keri with prize presenter Judie Mccourt
BLACKBURN BONANZA Prize presenter Matt Johnson gives Elsie her bumper cheque Martin and Kellie had plan to visit romantic Jamaica Smiling Keri with prize presenter Judie Mccourt
 ??  ?? Dream team: the Blackburn winners celebrate with Matt and Judie
Dream team: the Blackburn winners celebrate with Matt and Judie

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