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Marking the on my 202 calendar, I a little sque ‘We’re going to New York!’ I smiled to my partner David, 51. It was March 2019, an we’d decided to book a treat for ourselves. I’d always dreamt of seeing the Big Apple. I wanted to do all the touristy things –ride in a yellow cab, see the Statue of Liberty and stay in the heart of Times Square. The beauty of booking the trip now was that we had a year to plan lots of exciting activities. Counting down the days and weeks until March 2020, we couldn’t be more excited. To add to the thrill, I had a huge surprise in June 2019, when I won £1,000 on Pick Me Up! Bingo. The day had started out like any other Saturday. I’d done a shift at my job in a supermarket, before coming home. And now I was looking forward to chilling out for the evening. David sat next to me on the sofa and flicked through the telly channels. ‘What do you fancy d ate 0 gave eal. d

We’re counting down the days

watching, love?’ he asked me. ‘I’m not fussed,’ I grinned back. David was always happy to watch anything on the box. But I liked to play on my phone or run a few errands around the house. I also liked to play bingo –there was always something new or fun happening. So, I logged on to the Pick Me Up! Bingo site on my laptop and clicked on my they made it stand out from the others.

Plus it was so easy to follow, and the chatroom was such a good laugh. I’d often talk to the same people in the chatroom, the community on site was just amazing.

Watching excitedly, the one, then two-line prizes were won, and I congratulated the winners.

‘I just need one number to win the Full House!’ I said to David. It was number 40.

Moments on, my screen started to flash… WINNER ! Staring at the screen in complete disbelief, I couldn’t favourite bingo game. I’d signed up in 2011, and there was one I liked the most –Blox Bingo. A game of 90-ball bingo, you can win a cash prize if you are first to complete one line, two lines or a Full House on your bingo card. It was the graphics I loved –I clicked on my favourite game, Blox Bingo

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‘So what’s tickled you?’ David asked me.

Still chuckling, I turned the screen to him so he could see. I’d won the Full House – a whopping £1,000!

‘That’s incredible!’ he beamed, and hurried off to grab us a glass of something each to raise a toast. I watched my balance rocket up on screen, as I read messages of congratulations from other bingo players.

But still, I just couldn’t believe it! I logged out and sat in stunned silence on the sofa for a little while.

Then David asked what we were going to do with the surprise scoop. To be honest, I didn’t really even need to think about it.

I’d put my winnings towards our New York trip and use some of my win left over to plan loads of great extra activities.

We might add a trip to the Empire State Building to our list…

We’re off to the Big Apple very soon now, and we can’t wait.

It’s the perfect way to spend my Full House win, and it’s just added to the excitement even more! New York here we come!