Residents share £140,000 lotto win

PEOPLE living in a Thornbury cul-de-sac have shared £140,000 in cash and holidays thanks to their postcode.

Four residents of Dovedale won cheques for £30,000 and a £5,000 holiday in a People’s Postcode Lottery draw at the end of February.

They included Stephen Monks, 61, and his wife Debra, who are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, and their bridesmaid, Samantha Walker.

Stephen said: “I never thought we’d get a knock on the door from the Postcode Lottery. It’s absolutely brilliant!"

Stephen, who is a school caretaker, said: "As it’s going to be our ruby wedding anniversary, we’ll go away somewhere nice and sunny, near the beach to celebrate.”

Debra is also planning a trip to New York later in the year.

The couple's bridesmaid, Samantha Walker, also shares the same postcode and won the same prize.

Samantha said: “Not in a million years did I think this would happen to someone like me.

“Debra and I grew up together and its lovely to think we’ve both won.

"I was born and bred in Thornbury, it’s a very well-known family.”

Samantha said the win had come at a "fantastic time" and she was planning to get a new shed and bathroom before going on holiday.

She said: "I think we’ll go on a cruise or try somewhere different. The Caribbean would be really nice - or Italy, because I’ve never been.”

Another neighbour, Richard Cahill, 42, is planning a trip to Lapland and some home improvements.

He said: “This win is absolutely awesome! I feel shocked but amazed.

“My wife and I have been chatting about taking our little boy to Lapland for Christmas, so we’ll go on a lovely holiday together.

“We’ll spruce up the house a little bit. The porch is looking a little bit tired at the moment and we’ll maybe do the bathroom as well.”

The fourth winner chose to remain anonymous.

People play the Postcode Lottery by paying a monthly fee and using their postcode instead of regular lotto numbers.

Throughout the February a daily £30,000 prize was given to all players in a chosen postcode, plus an additional £5,000 for a holiday for every ticket held.

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than a billion pounds for thousands of charities and local good causes.

The Thornbury draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Animal Trust, which supports Dogs Trust, PDSA and Cats Protection.

Postcode Lottery Ambassador Matt Johnson said: "I hope they all enjoy celebrating, spending the cash and have a great time on holiday."