Neighbours’ People’s Postcode Lottery winners bag £142,000
A former judo black belt is in the market for two new knees after bagging over £142,000 on the People’s Postcode Lottery – and he’ll treat his wife to a double hip replacement.
Chris Nicholls, 76, and four others living in Large Acres, Selsey, won £142,857 each after their postcode won the weekly Millionairestreetprizeonsaturday, March 23. A sixth neighbour doubledtheirprizetoawhopping £285,714, thanks to playing with two tickets.
Chris said: “It’s the sort of thing you dream about, and you think it’s never going to happen. Now I can buy my wife two new hips and me two new knees.”
Chris and wife Anne, 76, are going to treat their family and complete house renovations after their ‘lucky’ move to the seaside town.
He said: “It’s been a lucky move. If we stayed where we were we wouldn’t have had this winningpostcode.itfeelsmagic.”
The thrill seeker – who also used to race motorbikes – admittedhissportingpasthastakenits toll on his body.
Chris said: “I started Judo at 35-years-old, so I was a veteran when I started, and it does take its toll. Joint wear is a problem, particularly in the knees.
“Andtheyusedtohaveasaying which was ‘you don’t judge a judo playerbythebeltaroundhiswaist you judge them by the number of knee operations they’ve had.”
Chris, who used to run a Judo club with his friend, played competitivelyforover20yearsachievingthecovetedblackbeltstatusin the late 80s.
He added: “My wife unfortunately is in the need of a couple of new hips so we might speed that up and go private, and we’ll givethefamilyandthegrandkids some and generally save the rest for a rainy day.”
Chris, who is still working, has owned small removal and data management businesses throughout his life and still has a vested interest today.
The pensioners plan to celebratetheirbigwinwiththeirtwo sons – a judo coach and a physiotherapist – and their two granddaughters with a hotel stay and restaurant dinner.
Another winner in Large Acres was Lynn Morrison, 69, who also pocketed £142,857.
Mum-of-five Lynn said: “I’m still speechless. It’s absolutely incredible and it’ll be life-changing for me and my kids.”
Lynn plans to jet off to New Zealand to visit one of her daughters who has lived out there for seven years.