Bingo winners

annemarie Minnikin, 33, from durham, spent her big win on a very special day

It was the end of a really busy weekend.

Peace at last, I thought. It was 7.30pm on a Sunday night last January.

Though it wasn’t totally peaceful! I chuckled at the familiar sound of my husband of nine years, David, 41, shouting at the TV. His footie team, Manchester United, was obviously losing! He was so obsessed with footie, I often joked to friends that I was a ‘football widow’. But the truth was, I didn’t mind. David’s footie-watching meant I had some me time!

I loved watching the soaps. And recently, I’d found a fun new way to enjoy some of my free time. I’d joined Pick Me Up! Bingo, and could play on my phone.

I’d only joined three days ago and was surprised when I’d won £15.

‘It’s brilliant fun!’ I’d told David. I was still discovering new games, looking at the exciting promotions and fascinated by the chatrooms.

I decided to log in and started playing Tiki Bingo, which had an

8pm

Link game.

I spent £1.80 on 18 tickets. The game played automatically, so I could leave it and not miss a ball call if I wanted to catch up with my fave soap Coronation Street. Only, as the game showed I needed just two numbers, suddenly, I was gripped by an entirely different drama! Corrie could wait. Just then, a message flashed up on my mobile phone screen – it was a congratulations banner with Winners on it. I frowned. Someone must have pipped me to the post.

Hang on, the new winner listed was…me? That was my screen name right there, and a big win next to it. I couldn’t believe it! Just then, David groaned. Yep, his team was losing.

‘Well, I’ve just won a grand!’ I squealed. ‘No way!’ he replied, looking down

at my mobile as I waved it in his face.

But sure enough, my bingo account showed £1,000. And a few days later, the money was paid into my bank account.

David and I had already planned a special holiday to Antalya in Turkey for the following May to renew our wedding vows for our nine-year anniversary.

So, the win was an unexpected addition to the trip, and bought some beautiful flowers for the ceremony and shoes for the bridesmaids.

The day was absolutely magical. David and I said our vows in a marquee on the beach in the sun surrounded by family and friends.

I wore a white mermaidstyle dress, and my two bridesmaids were in coral. My three kids were there too.

We all had a wonderful day, and my bingo win was the icing on the cake!