WIN’S A GIFT FROM

MY LATE BROTHER

• Kelly, 44, credits tragic sibling for £77k Postcode Lottery prize
• Mum-of-three is planning family trip and home improvements
• Shares £1m pot with 12 neighbours in Penkridge, Staffordshire
• Local charities get funding...£100k for Midlands Air Ambulance

EMOTIONAL Kelly Robinson broke down after pocketing a £76,923 Postcode Lottery win - before crediting her late brother for the ‘little gift’.

Kelly, 44, said she’s convinced her beloved younger brother Nathan is watching over her since he tragically passed away last year, aged 40.

And, as she tearfully hugged partner Micky Withington, the mum-of-three said: “It’s a little gift from my brother to let me know he’s still there.

“I lost my brother last year and I swear it’s him. I feel like his presence is with me and that he’s helped me get this. He’s always been a massive part of my life.

“There was even a little robin outside the house when I took the phone call telling me I’d won.”

Micky, 45, added: “He was always looking out for you.”

Kelly shared £1m with 12 other neighbours in Penkridge, Staffordshire, after ST19 5EX landed the lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday 29 August. Every ticket was worth £76,923.

The Lord Of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien lived near the historic market town during World War II while he was stationed in the area, with the local landscapes said to have inspired parts of Middle-earth.

Kelly and plant machinery driver Micky both started weeping when the winnings were revealed – weeks after they thought about cancelling their subscription.

Micky said: “I can’t believe it. I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry as well. This is life changing. It beats my tax rebate.

“We thought about cancelling it a few weeks ago, but we stuck it out and now we’ve won.”

He added: “I might run down the street naked holding the cheque.”

Now the family want to revisit Mexico – and transform the garage into a room for their 16-year-old son.

Kelly said: “I means everything…big changes. We weren’t going on holiday this year, but the dream would be to go back to Mexico. We went last year and the kids loved it.”

Micky added: “We’ll convert the garage as an extra bedroom for our son, Mason.

“We’ll also have a nice special meal and book a holiday. But we can’t drink too much because we’ve got hot yoga later tonight.”

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE

There were also tears directly next door when lottery ambassador Judie McCourt surprised Eric McConnell as he fixed his car in the driveway of his semi.

Now the car firm worker is finally planning a fun-filled retirement with wife Cath – at the incredible age of 76.

Eric, wiping away tears as he eyed his win, said: “There’s not that much money in the world, is there?

“I’ve been doing the lottery for a long time and see other people win. It’s honestly staggering…it’s got to be a joke.

“I think retirement is definitely on the cards…unbelievable. I’ve worked in the motor trade for more years than I care to remember.”

Sobbing grandmother Cath, 74, added: “I can’t believe that.”

Eric now has a bucket list to work through – and a holiday will be first.

The dad-of-one said: “We’re well overdue for a holiday. We’ve not had one for two years and I’ve had plans in the back of my mind because Cath’s health has deteriorated a bit.

“We’re not massive, big spenders. We can enjoy the rest of our lives, spend more time together and do things we’ve wanted to do for a long time and never bothered.”

The biker grandad added: “It’s become lists that you wouldn’t believe. A new kitchen, holiday, I might get a new car…or a new motorbike instead. And we’ll look after our son and grandson.”

THAT’S THE TICKET

Pauline Wallace returned to her former street for the first time in four years to collect her windfall – after keeping a ticket at her old address.

The 81-year-old great gran said: “I’ve got two tickets at my new address and one at the old one here. It’s a damn good job I kept it.

“I said to the lady at the Postcode Lottery that it would be just our luck if we moved and it won, but she said we could keep it and that's why we did.”

Pauline and husband Roger, 87, who now live in an over-55s apartment block, will treat the family – and may go on a dream holiday.

She said: “We’ll take the family out. My granddaughter wants a house, so some will go to help her with that.”

The mum-of-one added: “We’re just back from Menorca. Roger has always wanted to go to Hawaii, but we might just see what the family want to do and go on holiday. Anywhere…as long as we’re together.”

CORNISH TASTY

Matthew Logan, 39, revealed he was on a family break to Cornwall when he got a call to say he’d won – but it was in an area with dodgy mobile service.

The HR software consultant said: “They called when we were on holiday in Cornwall. There was no signal and I was frantically trying to get one.

“We normally go camping in Cornwall for two weeks, but next year we’d like to do a cottage. Now we can get a nicer cottage than originally planned.”

He added: “There are little bits round the house that we’d like to do. I can pay someone to decorate.”

Wife Kirsty, 45, has her sights set on replacing their motor – a 2009, two litre Ford S-Max with 182,000 miles on the clock.

And, on seeing their cheque, she said: “That’s not something that happens every day. We’ve never had anything like that.

“Our car outside is pretty old and kind of starting to die. It’s due for an upgrade.  It was on the list of things that we might need to do.”

WINNIN' AND CRUISIN'

Along the street, Sandra Lawley, 58, was left speechless when she landed her £76,923.

Now she plans to replace her crocked 14-year-old Renault Megane and take her police admin worker daughter Hayley Lawley, 38, on holiday.

Sandra, a sales coordinator for a brick manufacturer, said: “The car is broken, so I need a new one. But I won’t be spending it all on a new one.

“A cruise with my daughter would be great. We did a cruise for my 50th and her 30th to the Med, but we’ve always wanted to do the Norwegian fjords."

She added: “If I want to, I can treat myself to a whole new wardrobe. I’ve recently lost two stone in weight.”

HOL ABOARD!

Kim Hyde, 60, said she and her plumber husband Stephen, 63, will plan more holidays as they edge towards retirement.

Mum-of-three Kim said: “We’ve got a cruise booked for next year. Maybe a few more cruises and we might go to the Caribbean.”

The system administrator added: “My husband and I are hoping to retire in a few years. This will be going towards that. It’s going to make a massive difference. Just to enjoy life now; go on holidays, relax and have a fab time.”

The neighbours all joined up to support local, national and international charities.

And for winner Eric, there was one charity close to home – and even closer to his heart.

ONE HELI A BOOST

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has been awarded £100,000 thanks to funds raised by Postcode Lottery players.

Eric said: “I’m a big believer in the air ambulance because I’m a motorcyclist. The more charities this helps the better.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides advanced pre-hospital emergency care across six counties, including Staffordshire, delivering lifesaving, hospital-level treatment directly to patients when every second counts.

The charity receives no Government funding for its services and relies entirely on donations from locals, businesses and communities as it carries out more than 4,000 missions every year.

Chief Operating Officer Emma Gray said: “This generous funding will help us continue providing critical care to seriously ill and injured patients, while ensuring our crews have the specialist equipment, training and resources needed to respond at a moment's notice.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support and extend our sincere thanks to Postcode Lottery players. Their generosity enables us to continue saving lives and supporting communities across the region."

Other charities receiving awards thanks to Postcode Lottery players include: 

Katharine House Hospice - £80,000

The Stafford-based hospice provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care, emotional support and bereavement services for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Katharine House also operates a charity shop in Penkridge that helps fund their services.

House of Bread - £30,000 

Supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty and social isolation. House of Bread provides hot meals, food support, clothing, practical assistance, advice and a welcoming community hub to those who need it most.

Brighter Days Rescue - £20,000

The charity rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes abandoned, neglected and vulnerable dogs. They provide safe accommodation, veterinary care, support and responsible adoption services to help dogs find loving permanent homes. It also works with owners who need support in rehoming their pets.

Penkridge Peace Memorial Hall - £10,000

The charity manages and maintains the village hall for the benefit of the local community in Penkridge.

15th Stafford (Penkridge) Scout Group - £10,000

The local Scout group helps children and young adults reach their full potential through fun and challenging activities, unique experiences and everyday adventure.

How it works

Postcode Lottery costs £12.50 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.

Players of Postcode Lottery have raised more than £1.8 billion for thousands of charities and local good causes.

Details of all the prizes players have the chance to win with a monthly subscription can be found here.

Players can check if their postcode is a winner on Postcode Lottery's Lottery Results page.

This prize was promoted on behalf of the Postcode International Trust, which supports organisations including Action Aid, British Red Cross and Mary’s Meals.

-ENDS-

For more information contact Postcode Lottery Communications team at communications@postcodelottery.co.uk or call 0131 378 1329. 

Prize breakdown of £1 million  

13 people won £76,923 (one ticket) 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Postcode Lottery is an external lottery manager which operates charity lotteries on behalf of 20 independent Postcode Trusts. It is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. Players of Postcode Lottery have raised more than £1.8 billion for thousands of charities and local good causes.  

Winning Millionaire Street locations are announced every Saturday. This means that following August’s Postcode Lottery draws, we have announced four Millionaire Street winning locations.  

Penkridge is the fourth of those locations. Local charities in each of the four winning areas will share a combined total of £1 million to support their work.  

Funds are raised by players of Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Community Trust.      

Further information: https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/charities