TEN Milnrow residents received 30,000 reasons why 2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year.
The Derwent Avenue neighbours each won £30,000 with People’s Postcode Lottery and scooped the cash after their postcode, OL16 3UD, was announced as a winner on Wednesday, January 8.
Robert Greenhalgh, 70, was one of the winners and along with his wife Delma jumped in shock when he was presented with his cheque for £30,000.
He said: “This is the best surprise we’ve had for a while. I never thought I would see the red jackets up our avenue. I wished I could and my dream came true.”
Robert, a retired joiner, has always wanted to visit the Panama Canal in Central America.
He explained: “It’s been on my bucket list for ages. You need to be careful that you don’t get caught in monsoons. So, we will probably wait until the end of the year.
“Our daughter has just moved into a new house, so we would love to help her out with some money.
“She is a teacher and the kids in her class will be just as excited as her to find out what we have won.”
Roy Staples, 81, was another Milnrow local picking up a cheque with his wife Sheila. When he found out how much he had won, Roy said: “Gordon Bennett! I never expected that. You have brightened up a very dull January.”
When asked what he would spend the winnings on, Roy said: “Sheila will have it earmarked already.
“Our daughter and son will get a share of course. Our granddaughter is 20 and learning to drive so we will have to treat her too.
“We will celebrate with the family soon but I am still recovering from New Year’s Eve.
“When we found out you were coming round we could not sleep because we were so excited. Often you lie awake at night worrying about things, so this was a nice thing to be awake thinking about.”
Les Whittaker, 69, a retired local government worker, also scooped £30,000. He said: “Lovely. I am very pleased with life at the minute.”
Les commented that he ‘might have a little tipple’ to celebrate but will likely only spend the win on his family.
With five kids and 14 grandchildren (including 10-week-old Erin who was there to see her grandad receive his cheque), there are plenty family members to treat.
Les said: “I just want to share it with the family and give everyone a bit. You get to an age where there is nothing you want apart from a happy life.”
With a percentage of every ticket going to good causes, Les is glad that by playing People’s Postcode Lottery, he’s helping to support charities.
He said: “It is very important to support charities and good causes. People need them desperately. You cannot beat helping good causes and having the chance to win.
Derek Charles, 69, was over the moon with his win. The first thing he said was: “This is fantastic – you have made my day.”
Derek’s wife Gaynor was at work when the People’s Postcode Lottery team visited, but Derek was excited to celebrate later with a bottle of wine and something special for dinner.
He commented: “I am going to tell my wife to book another cruise as soon as she comes home. We will go to Dubai as she loves the shopping malls.
There were another six winners in the postcode who were not available to receive their cheques in person but the money will be paid into their bank accounts.
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Matt Johnson, was in Milnrow presenting the winners with their cheques.
He said: “I had a lovely morning. It was a cold day but all of them were kind of enough to invite us in and give us a cup of tea!
“I am chuffed for them and it sounds like they are all going to be very generous to their families with their winnings. I hope they also treat themselves to a little something though.”
A minimum of 32 per cent of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped raise more than £500 million to date for good causes across Great Britain and internationally.
The draw was promoted on behalf of Cats Protection, a charity that helps around 200,000 cats a year through its network of 36 centres and more than 250 volunteer-run branches.
For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or find them on Facebook and Twitter.