Overton Millionaire Street

Four stunned friends have won £333,333 with People's Postcode Lottery after forming a syndicate down the pub.

Karen, her civil partner Julie, and neighbourhood pals Ann and Julie decided five years ago to chip in £3 a month each while enjoying a tipple at their local boozer.

Now they are celebrating after scooping a share of the £1 Million windfall in the Millionaire Street prize.

Sharing With Friends

Retired prison officer Karen, of Overton, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said, "It's great sharing this fantastic win with our lovely friends who live over the road. We decided to have one ticket between us and see what we got. I never, ever imagined anything like this. I might have to start singing. It is just amazing."

The friends shared the jackpot with two other neighbours after WF4 4QZ landed People's Postcode Lottery's weekly Millionaire Street prize today. Each ticket was worth £333,333.

Now the foursome have big plans when they split the cash, worth over £83,333 each.

A First Class Result

Karen, who signed up for the ticket, and her partner Julie now plan to turn left on the plane by upgrading a holiday to Australia next July.

The couple are taking Julie's sister Alison to see her daughter Gemma - who is expecting her second child in January - at her home two hours from Sydney.

And they have also vowed to help out their two nieces.

Emotional Karen said, "Julie and me are off to Australia in July to see Julie's niece. It won't be economy now, it'll be first class. The first thing we started talking about when we knew we'd won something was who are we giving the money to. Our two nieces need the money. They're younger so it'll go to them."

She added, "I'd also like a new utility room. You can't explain the emotions you feel, this is absolutely wonderful!"

Partner Julie, who is also a retired prison officer, said their Oz trip will be really special now.

She said, "I'll be telling my sister this afternoon. My sister is going home after three weeks, but Karen and I are staying on and hiring a car to drive up the coast to Brisbane and we'll fly home from there."

A Special Street

Pals Ann and Julie live directly opposite in adjoining semi bungalows.

Widow Ann broke down as she told how she'll treat her son and two grandsons.

The retired market trader said, "We're all good friends here. There isn't another street like ours. It's brilliant to win with three friends, we're all in it together. I thought it might be £30,000 between us. Even £250 each would have been nice. You never think of this. You see it on the TV and wish it would happen to you, but when it does you get very emotional."

Ann added, "I've got two grandchildren and one is starting university, so I'll be able to help them."

A Golden Walking Stick

Julie, married to hubby Neil, said she would like a new kitchen, sofa and a gold walking stick.

But, after keeping news of the win a secret from family, she wants to take care of their four kids, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The former garden centre cook said, "My husband gave me a kiss before I came over here and said, 'I might not see you again'. We'll help our family. This will make them a bit happier. My husband and I are booked up to go to Tenerife, but this will make it much nicer."

She laughed, "I'd like a new sofa and kitchen. Maybe even a gold walking stick. I didn't want to get too excited. I thought it might be about £2,000. I would have been quite happy about that."

The Staying Alive Gang

Karen, partner Julie and Ann are all founder members of a group of pals who call themselves 'The Staying Alive Gang' and have scarves, bags and umbrellas with their logo.

They've already booked a villa with three other friends to go to Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest next March but they might ramp up the break now.

Karen reckons she might be the only one to brave the zipwire. She said, "I do walking football and it keeps me fit. I used to play in the 70s and now I'm playing in my 70s!"

A Flutter At The Races

Karen, who buys the ticket ever month, said she had been saving up little £10 Postcode Lottery prizes they won since they started playing. In April last year, they blew £160 between the four of them on a trip to Pontefract races.

She said, "It gave us £40 each to spend at the races."

Karen told how the street is so tight-knit they all helped her and Julie when they downsized from a bigger house in the road to their semi-bungalow.

She said, "We moved from another house a few doors up, but we didn't need a removal van. The neighbours helped and moved everything in wheelbarrows."

The ladies originally signed up because they know playing Postcode Lottery benefits local, national and international charities.

Helping Local Charities

Right on their doorstep the National Coal Mining Museum for England was awarded £75,000.

CEO Lynn Dunning said, "We are thrilled to have received this funding thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery."

The museum, which has 88 staff and more than 60 volunteers, aims to keep the story of coal mining alive by collecting and preserving the industry's rich heritage. The team also want to create enjoyable and inspiring ways to learn for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Now the award will help buy a horse box for the museum's beloved ponies Eric and Ernie to travel to community events and schools.

The museum will also work with local communities to expand its outreach activities and deliver programmes on site to tackle social isolation and support people with dementia.

Lynn added, "Funding such as this is vital in our mission as a charity to share and preserve England's coal mining heritage."

Other local charities receiving funding thanks to Saturday's Millionaire Street prize win include:

• New Hall Kidz - £30,000 New Hall Kidz provides an open access play facility for children and young adults visiting a loved one in HMP & YOI New Hall.

• Open Country (Wakefield and Barnsley Hub) - £75,000 Open Country empowers individuals with disabilities to access and enjoy the Yorkshire countryside.

• Samantha Sykes Foundation - £20,000 Samantha Sykes Foundation supports victims and those at high risk of child sexual exploitation, up to and including the age of 25. They also help people in the Care System gain access to Higher Education.

• Wakefield District Scout Council - £25,000 Wakefield District Scout Council believes in preparing young people with skills for life by encouraging them to do more, learn more and be more.

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

Making A Difference

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Education Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust delivers grant funding to organisations that provide education, particularly in emergency situations. Benefiting charities include AfriKids, War Child and Save the Children.

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

If you haven't signed up to play yet, it's quick and easy to join the fun. You never know when your postcode is going to get lucky! Find out How It Works or check out the amazing Prizes our players can win. Winning postcodes are announced every single day and we have thousands of happy winners every week.