5 neighbours in Cowes are celebrating a life-changing £1million People’s Postcode Lottery win, with 1 lucky woman scooping a staggering £333,332 after playing with 2 tickets.
Residents in PO31 7LR – Seaview Road in Cowes – have shared the huge Millionaire Street prize, which was revealed today (Tuesday), with 4 winners each receiving £166,666 and 1 taking home double that amount.
The biggest winner is 34-year-old Abbie West-Long, who is now planning to leave the Isle of Wight behind and start a new life in Canada with her partner, 39-year-old Daryl Marlow.
The couple had been saving towards a move to British Columbia in 2028, but the unexpected windfall means they could now be living in Canada within just 6 months.
Abbie, who volunteers with children’s charity Barnardo’s, said:
“We’ve literally just had our dreams come true. That’s a new life and a new start out in Canada.
“I do feel like I’m dreaming because this isn’t something that happens to me. I usually expect bad news.”
But Abbie isn’t the only Cowes resident whose future has been transformed.
Mary Bowdery, 42, who runs a dance and gymnastics school on the Isle of Wight, also won £166,666 following an incredibly difficult year, including surgery for a serious Achilles injury.
She now hopes to treat her family, celebrate with pupils at her dance school and fulfil a long-held ambition of going on safari in Kenya.
Mary said:
“It’s a bit of a dream come true. I just don’t really believe it’s happened. I’ve never won more than forty quid on anything.”
Another winner, 59-year-old Suzie Wheatley, had already enjoyed a memorable week after her husband Chris, 57, surprised her with a Suzuki Jimny – her dream car.
Suzie, who works as a school contract cleaner, now hopes to return the favour by buying Chris his dream Tesla Model 3 Performance.
She said:
“Yeah, it’s been a very, very surprising week. The best week ever.”
Meanwhile, Mandy Kennedy, 57, is planning to use her £166,666 windfall to help her daughter Chelsea, 34, buy her first home.
Chelsea, who works as a disability advisor at the University of East London, has struggled to save for a deposit while renting and was unaware of her mother’s incredible news.
Mandy said:
“I’d like to get my daughter on the property ladder. There’s definitely enough there for a deposit. That will obviously change her life because she’s renting and not getting very far with saving a deposit.”
Mandy and her partner Jason are also considering buying a campervan to explore the country with their dog.
The Cowes win forms part of a special series of £1million Millionaire Street prizes being announced by People’s Postcode Lottery between 24th and 31st October.
