Harrogate neighbours share £240,000 lottery win

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The windfall comes after HG3 2TZ was announced as a winner with People’s Postcode Lottery on Thursday, January 14.

Amongst the winners were father and son Bill and Martin Barnett who both live on Bramham Drive.

They learned of the win on video calls with People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Jeff Brazier.

Bill (67), who was joined on the call by his wife Marie, was quick to respond when the prize amount was revealed. He said: “Wow! Thank you very much. Lovely!”

When asked how they would celebrate Bill said: “I’m sure I might have a beer tonight.”

Marie responded by saying: “I’ll be thinking how to spend it!”

After taking a moment to think about their prize, the retired parents-of-two had some thoughts on how they could enjoy their winnings.

Marie said: “How nice is that? I can help my daughter and the grandkids want to go to Disneyland, when we can. My grandson is desperate to go to Disney, so I’ll give them that to boost them up. I’ve got three grandsons so hopefully I’ll take all three.”

Bill agreed: “Once the lockdown relaxes and things get a bit better then maybe go to Florida, take the grandkids, all three of them, along. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it!”

But he also had an idea for a treat for himself: “A new set of golf clubs!”

Bill’s son Martin (42) was also a winner and was in shock when he saw how much he had won, he said: “I’m surprised at that, I’m speechless. I’m over the moon! I can do a lot with that, and I can become really independent again.”

The service engineer was thrilled with the win but had to put the celebrations on hold: “I’ve got to go to work tonight! I’ll think I’ll wait to the weekend and I’ll probably have a beer or two, or a nice bottle of wine!”

Martin was excited to hear about his parents’ good fortune as well: “It’s fantastic, they’re retired and they can enjoy it!”

He also thought a family holiday could be in the works: “I can take my little boy on holiday to America. I think my little 6-year-old would enjoy it and enjoy that whole magical experience.”

When asked if he had any ideas for himself, Martin laughed and added: “You know what, I’ve been looking at camper vans!”

Another winner on the street was Bev Watson (52), who learned of her win minutes before starting work at a local supermarket.

On seeing the cheque she exclaimed: “Oh my God. That’s amazing! £30,000? That’s going to change our lives.

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but that’s amazing. I don’t know what to say.”

The mum-of-two was moved to tears by the reveal.

When asked what she could spend her winnings on she had a few ideas: “Look after my children, maybe treat my husband to a new car. I don’t drive, but I ride a little moped to get me to and from work and it’s been off the road for 18 months now, so I’m thinking a brand new one."

Bev was thrilled to be winning with some of her neighbours and said: “I’m so glad that some of the neighbours have won. We’ve got to know a few more since lockdown, out in the garden just being socially distant and saying hi. We all help each other, I’ve got eight cats and one of the neighbours is happy to feed them if I go away! It’s a lovely community.”

Maria Baron (62) was one of the other winners and was joined on a video call by her partner Ian Jackson. After learning how much she had won she said: “Wow! Thank you!”

Ian agreed saying: “£30,000? Superb. Brilliant!”

Maria, who is an administrator at a mental health hospital, had some big ideas for her winnings. She said: “We’re sort of thinking about holidays of a lifetime, but that’ll wait til we can travel again. America or Australia, I’ve been to one, he’s been to the other so it’d be a joy for both of us whichever way we went!”

The other winners chose to remain anonymous but their prizes will be paid directly into their bank accounts.

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Jeff Brazier sent his congratulations to the winners.

He said: “Winning with your community is at the heart of what we do at People’s Postcode Lottery, but it’s always extra special when we see families winning together too. Congratulations to Bill, Martin and all our other Harrogate winners!”

Everyday throughout the January draws one postcode will be announced as a £30,000 prize winner. All the players in the postcode will win £30,000 for every ticket they hold.

People’s Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.

A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped raise over £600 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.

This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Education Trust. The Trust supports charities and good causes which provide education, particularly in emergency situations, through grant funding.

For more information contact Scott Ranachan at scott.ranachan@postcodelottery.co.uk or call 0131 322 9385.

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