PICTURE GALLERY: Lucky Islanders who play The Postcode Lottery and live in the PO30 1 area of Newport have today (Saturday) received their winning cheques totalling a whopping £3million, after the Isle of Wight was declared a winner in February’s Postcode Millions draw.
The biggest cheque of the day went to Pat Willis (pictured left) of Prospect Road, who has walked away with a life-changing £331,159 after initially thinking she had won £14,197. Much to her surprise, Pat’s full postcode of PO30 1JH was announced as the winning postcode meaning she was recalled to stage where her cheque for £14,197 was ripped up and she opened the much larger one.
In total there are 112 residents within the winning postcode sector, with prizes ranging from £7,098 to £662,318.
Two other lucky winners, who played with the full winning postcode, won amazing amounts. One winner also won £331,159 whilst the other player, who played with two tickets, won an incredible £662,318. The winners, who were unable to attend the event today, have been contacted about their wins.
Pat, 63 who attended the event at Landguard Manor in Shanklin with husband Ken, 67 said:
“To be honest I don’t know [how I feel]. It hasn’t sunk in yet – i’m surprised. When the £14,197 came up I thought that was nice.
“I’ve got 4 children to sit down with and work out what we’re going to do. And then take as many holidays as I can!”
Pat was born on the Island but moved away for around 30 years before moving back just 3 years ago. Amazingly, Pat and Ken have only been playing the Postcode Lottery since December and in the first month won £10.
Bethany Heal, James Wright and Janice Cooper all got up on stage to receive their cheques for £7098, with Alec Blecher, Liz Urry and Ian Newnham taking a whopping £14,197. A wristband system was used for those who preferred not to get up on stage, with black bands taking home £7098, red £14,196 and neon green £14,197.
Dave Sear said his wife will find something to spend his £27,394 winnings on whilst Carmen Woodbridge explained how she had only been playing a year but won £28,394. Those with neon pink wristbands took away £28,394 and neon blue wristband wearers bagged an incredible £42,591.
The event was also a family affair with siblings Paul Shutler, 75, and Elaine McComb, 69 winning today. The brother and sister have 8 other siblings on the island but they were the only 2 from the family to sign up and play.
Elaine, who plays with two tickets, won twice as much as her older brother Paul. She said:
“All week I’ve been teasing Paul that I was going to win more than him and I have! I’ve won £28,394 and Paul has won £14,197.”
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson, who was delighted to hand out cheques to the winners from the Isle of Wight, said:
“It’s been an absolutely fantastic day, I’ve loved giving out the cheques to all the excited players and seeing their reactions. Massive congratulations to all the winners, especially Pat, I hope you all enjoy spending your winnings.”
It’s not just players who win by playing People’s Postcode Lottery – over £104.2million has been awarded to charities and good causes. The winners’ celebration saw a number of supported charities in attendance including Riding for the Disabled Association, Girlguiding and Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust which is based locally on the island.
Founder of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Dame Ellen MacArthur expressed her delight at players from the Isle of Wight scooping the big prize:
“Huge congratulations to all of the winners of People’s Postcode Lottery Postcode Millions! Our team at the Trust had a fantastic day at the event celebrating with the winners – thank you so much for supporting us!”
See photographs of the winners on stage below…
