Rolling In Cash In Rainhill And Cardiff

This weekend, we've got two sets of lucky winners picking up whopping cheques. First up, the July Postcode Millions has landed in Rainhill, and players could not be more excited for their £2 Million win. Also, in Cardiff, one lucky player has won a huge £25,000 in the Saturday Street Prize.

Rainhill players were ecstatic on Saturday with their win in July's Postcode Millions. Two lucky People's Postcode Lottery players discovered that they were going to share a whopping £1 Million, and a further 19 players were delighted to win almost £40,000 each.

A total of 31 winners living in postcode sector L35 9 walked away with big cheques at the event, with prizes ranging from £5,617 to £666,666.

John Washington, 44, who plays with two tickets, scooped the biggest prize of £666,666, while his neighbour Jacqueline Donnelly, 53, won £333,333. John and Jacqueline were the two winners revealed to be playing with the full winning postcode, L35 9LQ.

"We have been through a tough time in the last couple of months," said John. "I want to spend this on my wife, Barbara. She deserves it. I was made redundant in March, but have just recently started work as a Warehouse Operative, so everything is finally working out."

John was extra lucky to be a winner, as he was playing with his old postcode. "I've been playing for about four years," said John. "We moved house 12 months ago, but decided to keep playing with our old postcode – thank goodness we did."

Now, £666,666 richer, John has a few ideas of how to spend the cash. "We're renting at the moment, but would love to buy our own house – that's the first thing on our list," he said. "We'll probably keep playing with our lucky postcode though!"

As well as buying a new house, John and Barbara have holidays on their minds. "My sister lives in New Zealand, and we haven't seen her in years," John said. "I would love to take a family holiday out there – as well as Australia – with our children Emily and Jack, as we've never been able to afford to go."

John's fellow big winner Jacqueline, who was joined by her husband Eddie, told the crowd she felt nervous, before being presented with her £333,333 cheque. "It's unreal," she said.

Jacqueline, who works in a local bakery, is looking forward to spending the money. "First I want to pay off our mortgage and possibly buy a new house," she said. "Then I want to set up trust funds for the kids."

Mother-of-four Jacqueline is extra happy with the win. "We have struggled financially for the last couple of years, and I would love to get a holiday together. It'll be a real family celebration."

It wasn't just John and Jacqueline celebrating at the event, which was held at Speke Hall, a property owned by player-supported charity National Trust.

One of the 19 lucky winners to win £39,326 was 29-year-old Jade Mercer, who was overwhelmed to be presented with her cheque. "I've only been playing for four months," she exclaimed through tears. "I'm going to go on a shopping trip to Manchester with my mum, and then possibly Ibiza."

Paul Hanley, who also won £39,326, had one word to say when he was presented with his cheque. "Porsche," he laughed.

People's Postcode Lottery ambassadors Judie McCourt and rugby legend Scott Quinnell were handing out the cheques to the delighted winners from Rainhill. "We've all had a fabulous day today celebrating with all the excited winners," said Judie. "A lot of players were very emotional to discover how much they had won, and I know they'll all have a great time spending their winnings."

Players weren't the only ones having a great time at the event. The winners' celebration saw a number of supported charities in attendance, including National Trust, Girlguiding, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Riding for the Disabled Association, the Wildlife Trusts, Maggie's, PDSA and Canal & River Trust.

One player in Cardiff is also delighted this weekend, as his postcode, CF23 5SL, was revealed as this week's Saturday Street Prize winner.

Colin Johnson, 68, was at home with his wife Rosemary when he was surprised by People's Postcode Lottery ambassador and rugby legend Scott Quinnell. "It was a big shock," he said.

Retired plumber Colin has been a player for around 18 months. "I signed up as it gives me the opportunity to support charities as well as the chance of winning," he said. "It was so easy to play and to sign up."

Colin, who has two children and four grandchildren, has plenty of family to spoil with his winnings. "My family will definitely be treated, and I would like to go back across to Spain with my wife soon," he said. "We have a family home out there that could do with some refurbishments, so I may spend some money on that."

Players have raised over £75.6 Million for charities and good causes across Great Britain and internationally. One local charity to receive funding from players is Cardiff Institute for the Blind Incorporated, which received funds for their 'Now Eye Hear You' project. The project was awarded £2,078 to purchase personal hearing equipment for their blind and partially sighted members who have hearing impairments. With that assistance, they would be able to fully hear while attending their social groups.