My surprise present

Shellby Ashley, 28, from Birmingham, couldn’t believe her luck

When I got a phone call to say I’d won £1,000, it was a total shock! The woman from Park said I’d won the September prize draw. She said give it 10 minutes, then check your bank account. I did as she said and, sure enough, there it was. What a lovely day…

This is my first year with Park – I started putting money aside in late 2021. My older sister got me on to it because I’d been so panicky in the run-up to last Christmas, worrying about how I was going to afford to buy presents. She explained that saving an amount each week now with Park would mean a tidy sum in gift cards or vouchers the following November.

With three kids to buy for, my sister had been tucking money away with Park for years, which meant she always had Christmas covered. She isn’t the only one in my family – my mum and mother-in-law are Park savers, too.

I decided that was the way forward for me, so every month I put by £33. I got so used to doing it, I hardly noticed it.

I decided to put my money on the Your Choice card, which you can use in loads of different shops. It’s perfect when you’re buying for all ages – my nephews are 14 and 5 and my niece is eight, so they’ll get a mixture of toys, gadgets and clothes, plus there’s the rest of my family to buy for.

I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year. Winning the £1,000 prize draw means a few extra treats all round, plus I’ve tucked away some of it towards a family holiday in Greece next summer.

It’s been a real bonus but the best thing has been the peace of mind that with Park Christmas is sorted and there’s no New Year debt to worry about.