Reading Millionaire Street

A father and son have won together - despite neither of them knowing the other one played. Stunned Paul and his lad Grant only found out they were both in the money after they each got a call from our Millionaire Street team at the home they share.

Paul was first to find out how much he'd won when Judie McCourt revealed his £66,666 cheque. Grant thought he would win the same as his dad, but was left speechless when he bagged £133,332 because he forgot he played with two tickets.

Cheque-Mates

IT worker Grant, of Reading Berkshire, said, "Neither of us knew that the other played until we got the phone call. I'd forgotten that I had two tickets. I expected to get the same as my dad."

He added, "I'm shocked. I said to everyone to expect the lowest amount and anything else would be a bonus.

"Dad was similar to me, that whatever it was would be great. But to see that kind of money!"

Dad-of-four Paul said, "I didn't even know my son played."

The pair shared £1 Million with nine neighbours in Reading, Berkshire, after RG2 8SD landed today's Millionaire Street prize. Every ticket was worth £66,666 but four neighbours - including Grant - doubled their win by playing with two tickets.

Six of the eleven Millionaire Street neighbours each banked £2,771 three years ago in our Postcode Millions prize in May 2020. Incredibly, Paul and Grant signed up separately after Paul's mum, Maureen, was also a sector winner of that prize.

Now Grant is aiming to leave the family home and move in with his receptionist girlfriend.

He said, "I had a conversation with my nan after she won three years ago and I started playing after that. I want to buy a house with my girlfriend and maybe get a nice holiday somewhere next year.

"I'm chuffed for my dad. He never has any luck with anything. It's great for him to get this win. He and my mum can go on holiday now by themselves and enjoy it more."

Grandad-of-three Paul fancies a holiday with wife Georgina to help her further recover from a devastating stroke two years ago - as well as investing in a classic car.

The mechanic - who gave up work to care for his wife - said, "I started doing Postcode Lottery straight away after my mum won. The first thing is, we'll go on holiday. But there is one car that I want to get again - a Ford Granada. I've got three of them already. It's one more to add."

Making A Difference

Builder Shane won previously when he and the family had been staying at his mum's house - and couldn't believe it when Judie McCourt revealed his £66,666 cheque.

Now the dad-of-two and wife Victoria are planning to buy a house. The couple had moved out of their previous home after their first son, Lucien, was stillborn in 2014.

An emotional property manager and dressmaker Victoria said, "Our first little boy passed away. We couldn't live there any more. This feels like a new start from what's happened and why we ended up here in the first place."

Shane said, "This is crazy and will make a big difference to us. We've wanted to buy a house. We'll start looking after Christmas. I'm happy with a project. Building's my trade, so I can make something of it."

They are also planning to treat kids Lucas, eight, and four-year-old Vienna with a trip to France next year.

Shane said, "The kids will have a very good Christmas and we'll take a holiday next year in Disneyland Paris."

He added, "When I won before we were staying at my mum's address and I still play with that postcode. This is amazing. We don't win anything - but I can't say that now!"

Double Win

Great-gran June doubled her winnings after buying a second ticket when her only son developed prostate cancer.

Twice-widowed June wanted to support cancer charities when builder Frankie took ill with the disease.

It meant she bagged a whopping £133,332, and dad-of-three Frankie - who has since recovered - was with her when she received her prize. Now she has vowed to look after her growing family, which includes three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Retired Asda tills supervisor June - who also won £2,771 three years ago - said, "When Frankie got cancer, I took out another ticket. I'm all for it and everything that the Postcode Lottery does for people. It's unbelievable. It all goes to good places. I've had my day now. I'll invest this money for my family."

She added, "This is the second time I've won. I still have the other cheque and I spread the word about People's Postcode Lottery to my neighbours the last time - and even got my hairdresser to take part."

Winning Smiles

Across the road, Stephen told how he used his winnings three years ago on a belated golden wedding anniversary party, which had been postponed due to COVID-19.

Retired mechanical engineer Stephen couldn't believe it when his £66,666 cheque was revealed, exclaiming, "You play it, but you never expect to win the big one, do you?!"

This time, the couple might turbo-charge a special lunch they already have planned at The Ritz in London.

Wife Marilyn said, "We can put whatever we want with it now."

Stephen also plans to treat their family, and added, "Well, we've got two children and three grandchildren, so I'm sure they'll benefit from it in certain ways."

Gran-Tastic

Near neighbour Brenda said she "got up and skipped around" after her win. She plans to help her poorly husband with her £66,666 windfall.

The grandmother-of-one said, "I never dreamt it was going to be that much. I've got a husband with Parkinson's, so I'll get some care in to help look after him."

The former machinist and cleaner has no plans to move as her house has been in her family for generations - but might add a porch.

She said, "It was my grandad that lived here, and he rented it and then we got the chance to buy it."

Shed Load Of Cash

The Reading win also means that Christmas has come early for a string of local charities. One of them, The Cowshed - a community-driven charity dedicated to providing support to individuals during times of personal crisis - has been awarded £50,000 by the Postcode Society Trust.

Its co-founder and CEO Sally Russell said the award will be vital for the small charity to help more people over the festive season.

Sally - who set up The Cowshed in 2018 with husband Kester - said, "I couldn't believe it when I got the phone call from the Postcode Society Trust.

"For a small charity like ours, this is substantial funding which will help us with our general running costs but also allow us to help even more people and families now and in the lead-up to Christmas."

The Cowshed provides good quality, cleaned, and ironed clothes and other essential items free of charge to those in need through referrals from over 200 other organisations such as food banks, social services, and schools.

To date, it has helped over 20,000 people and recycled over 700 tonnes of textiles and other items which would have ended up in landfill.

The team also painstakingly sort and wrap Christmas present donations, ensuring more than 3,000 local families can provide gifts to their children.

Sally added, "We help people from all walks of life and all backgrounds - from victims of domestic violence to people who have suddenly lost their homes or fallen ill, as well as those who simply cannot afford school uniforms or a prom outfit. Our mission is to give people a helping hand with dignity."

Other charities in the Reading area receiving funding thanks to Saturday's Millionaire Street prize win include:

• Me2 Club - £50,000 Me2 Club enables the inclusion of children and young people with additional needs into mainstream activities. This is done through trained volunteers that provide one-to-one support.

• Sport in Mind - £50,000 An independent mental health charity that was formed with a simple mission, to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity.

• Parenting Special Children (PSC) - £50,000 A Berkshire organisation supporting families and working directly with children and young people with special needs, disabilities and/or early life trauma. They also train the professionals working with families.

All funding was awarded by Postcode Society Trust (opens in a new tab).

Thousands Of Deserving Projects

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Care Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust provides grant funding to organisations that work to improve the health and lives of communities. Benefiting charities include Maggie's, Breast Cancer Now and Carers Trust.

With People's Postcode Lottery, 33% of the ticket price goes to charities and good causes. Our players have funded thousands of deserving projects and raised more than £1.2 Billion for community groups and charitable organisations.

If you haven't signed up to play yet, it's quick and easy to join the fun. Winning postcodes are announced every single day and we have thousands of happy winners every week. See How It Works or check out the amazing Prizes which you could win.