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Champagne corks are popping all over Chester today as 457 people celebrated winning a share of £3m with the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Lucky neighbours in the CH2 1 postcode received the news of their winnings today (Saturday November 2) with a knock at their door.
The biggest prizes of the day were won by the eight people playing with the full winning postcode, CH2 1LT .
Seven of the Endsleigh Gardens neighbours netted £150,000 each, while the eighth trebled his cash prize to £450,000, playing with three tickets.
Married life is starting on a high for newlyweds Georgia and Chris McCaffrey, who were among the lucky winners today.
The 29-year-old mortgage broker and 30-year-old Royal Mail worker pocketed a cheque for £150,000, just six weeks after tying the knot.
Georgia said: “I can’t believe it, I’m speechless and never usually lost for words.
“My heart was beating so fast when I saw the cheque and all the zeros.
“After the wedding we had planned to start saving again and now this – it’s more than either of us could ever have imagined.
“We had a dream wedding and now we can have an amazing honeymoon.
“We’re thinking of the Maldives or Bermuda – wherever we end up, this win will have made it even more special.”
The good news for the happy couple was described as a “double whammy” by husband Chris, who has just been promoted to a management position at Royal Mail this week.
He said: “I think we’re both in shock, it’s turned into a memorable week for us and we have lots to celebrate this weekend.”
England might not have won in the world cup but 66-year-old rugby fan Colin Rigby still had plenty to celebrate after discovering he’d scooped £150,000.
He said: “Holy moly, I’m in such a state of shock that I think you’ll need to call the paramedics.
“I had expected to get a nice dinner out of this but I can’t believe how many noughts are on that cheque.
“It means I can start to dream about what’s possible now.”
Colin, a retired electrician, was joined by his wife of 45 years Linda, a 65-year-old retired catering manager, when he received his cheque.
Linda said: “Oh my giddy aunt – my knees are shaking!
“I have arthritis and I’m going in to have surgery on Wednesday so it’s nice to get some good news and for once my shoulder doesn’t hurt because I’m just so excited!”
With three kids and six grandkids, Colin and Linda know the first thing they’ll do with the windfall.
Colin said: “We’re going to go on a big family holiday to America and take all the grandkids to Florida.
“Being retired and on a limited income it just gives us that peace of mind.
“Linda has even joked she might get someone to cater the Christmas dinner now!”
Teaching assistant and 39-year-old mother of two Karen Rogers couldn’t believe what was happening when the Postcode Lottery team appeared outside her door.
She said: “I can’t get my head around this – it’s a completely once in a lifetime experience.
“My husband Craig spent the first two years of his life in the Bahamas and has always wanted to go back but we never thought it would be possible to go back, but it is now!
“Seeing my family happy makes me happy so having the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime is just so special.”
As well as treating her family, Karen would like to do something for herself.
She said: “We’re always focused on making ends meet for the kids and never have anything for extras so I’d love to treat myself to a shopping spree.”
Picking up the biggest prize of the day for £450,000 was retired business owner Keith Higgins. T
he 73-year-old said: “Wow – I think I need a lie down now!
“I’ve only lived on this street for 13 months so this is a great way to get better acquainted with some of the neighbours I had yet to meet.”
Keith, who has three children and four grandchildren, says the win will go a long way to helping others and plans to donate some of his win to a local hospice.
He said: “I support Hospice of the Good Shepherd which is just along the road, so I’d like to give something to them.
“It’ll also be nice to support the family too.”
Janet Dennan, a 68-year-old pensioner and gran of two, was excited to get a knock at the door.
She said: “Winning is an amazing feeling, it’s just incredible.
“After spoiling the children and grandchildren, I’m going to get a new driveway and maybe a holiday.
“I’ve been playing for years and a big draw for me has always been the charities, we’re helping them just by playing.”
With the remaining 449 players in the CH2 1 sector sharing the rest of the money, their prizes varied from £2,994 all the way up to £11,976, depending on the number of tickets they played with.
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassadors Judie McCourt and Danyl Johnson were in Chester meeting some of the winners.
Judie said: “Things might not have gone how we’d hoped with the rugby but we’ve certainly given our players in Chester something to celebrate this weekend!
“It’s always fantastic to see neighbours sharing the joy of winning together and today has been no exception to that.”
With a minimum of 32% of every ticket going to charities and good causes, players have raised more than £486 million for thousands of charities and good causes since 2005.
October’s Postcode Millions draw is being held on behalf of Postcode Global Trust which supports organisations working across the world to save lives, improve health care systems, and provide education and opportunities to alleviate poverty.
Lots of good causes supporting communities in Chester have also been supported with funding raised by players.
Earlier this year, Happy Times Activities was awarded £2,000 run sensory workshops for adults with autism and their carers.
To find out more, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk .
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