Horden Millionaire Street

A stunned schoolteacher has told how she'll treat her sons to a theme park 'holiday-of-a-lifetime' after landing a share of £1 Million.

Beth Gilmour scooped £52,631 and said she'll soon jet off to Florida, USA, to explore a newly opened theme park ranked as one of the 'world's best.'

Beth and husband Craig Gilmour booked the holiday to Universal's Epic Universe in Orlando three years ago after working-hard to save up for the trip.

Now the couple want to give their sons a holiday they'll never forget.

Beth, of Horden, Durham, said: "£52,000 is unbelievable, exciting, and probably life-changing. Our holiday to Florida this summer will now be the holiday-of-a-lifetime."

"We've had it booked for three years because it's so expensive to pay for, so we're finally getting there.

"You can even make your own personalised lightsaber there. So, the boys might be coming back with one each."

Beth was among 17 people in Horden sharing £1 Million in today's Millionaire Street prize when SR8 4BQ was announced as the winner.

Each ticket was worth £52,631, with two of the winners doubling their prize to £105,262, thanks to playing with two tickets.

Beth, who works as a primary school teacher, said her win will mean an upgrade to the family's upcoming adrenaline-fueled holiday.

Beth said: "It's just lovely knowing that we can have the best possible holiday.

"There's a new theme park that's just opened at Universal Orlando Resort and the boys were desperate to go. So, now they can definitely go and enjoy it all."

Universal Epic Universe which opened last month is billed as the world's 'most immersive and innovative' theme park.

The 110-acre park features five themed areas: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic.

Beth added: "The boys love theme parks. Alton Towers, you know name it, we love it."

When the couple were asked what other things they'd spend the winnings on, Craig smiled.

Beth responded and said: "I don't know what he's smiling for because it'll be a car. He's always car shopping.

Craig, who works in manufacturing, cheekily added: "I might do some car shopping."

The couple, who got bought their house from Beth's dad 14 years ago, spoke of their delight that many neighbours on Newcastle Avenue had also won.

Craig said: "To be able to share this with people who you know, that's the greatest feeling of all. It's nice to win individually but to know that other people in the street have also won, who might need it more is pretty special."

Beth added: "I've lived here all my life. We bought this house from my dad when I was 25. They were former pit houses, because the colliery was straight over the road. I think a lot of people moved in when the pits were open and their families have just stayed.

"It's lovely because we know almost everyone on our street, it's a proper community part of Horden."

Lifelong Sunderland AFC supporter Joe Partridge, and his wife Isabel, were both stunned when his prize of £105,262 was revealed.

Joe said: "This is unbelievable. I said to Isabel, what will you do if we won £25,000, she said 'I'll have a heart attack’."

Fortunately, the only thing Isabel had was a few tears of joy.

She said: "I just cannae believe it. I never ever expected that we'd win anything like this."

Joe jumped for joy when his beloved team won the Championship Play-Off Final to be promoted to the English Premier League on Saturday 24 May.

Just three weeks later, he's also celebrating a six-figure windfall.

Joe, who has been a season-ticket holder for 76 years, even said Sunderland's promotion narrowly edged winning Postcode Lottery.

Joe joked: "This is unbelievable but promotion is better but if you ask Isabel, she won't have the same reply."

Joe, who saw his first Sunderland game aged 10 in 1949, will be supporting his boyhood club from the comfort of his sofa next season.

He said: "The only downside is that I've had to give my season ticket up. I had to think about my age. I've got two metal knees, and I'm carrying prostate cancer."

Joe and Isabel Partridge said they'll share their bumper win with their family of four children, nine grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, and a great great-grandson.

Isabel said: "They'll be over the moon. We're going to treat them all."

Also winning £105,262 was Irene Horniblow whose dreams of winning enough money for a cruise have become a reality.

She said: "I think it's more than enough for a cruise. I might think about the Caribbean now."

The great-grandmother said her family had teased that she could buy more Skechers, a brand of trainers that she almost always wears, with her winnings.

She said: "My family were all teasing me that I'd maybe win enough to buy some more Skechers. I could buy the shop now!"

Also, each picking up a cheque for £52,631 was Sophie Bartley and Amy Hamilton.

Next-door neighbours Sophie and Amy, who both work as mobile carers, want to buy new cars and take some sunny holidays.

Sophie said: "It's life-changing. I can get a new car, treat the kids... it’s mad!"

She added: "I can take my son and daughter to Mexico. I've been before years ago, but I've always wanted to go back with the kids."

Mum-of-one Amy added: "It's amazing. I've never had that kind of money before."

Along with sharing a wall, the two mums car share for work, and now they're sharing a lottery win.

Amy said: "We both work together, we work seven days on and then seven days off, and we take turns driving each day. We do double-up calls, so we do every call together.

"I'm looking at a Mercedes A-Class, just a little one."

Amy signed up to the Postcode Lottery after her mum won £1,000 a few years ago in Peterlee. And then Amy convinced Sophie to start playing after having a conversation about the lottery while driving to work two years ago.

Amy also said she'll take her nine-year-old son Jacob on his first holiday overseas.

She said: "I can take my son on his first holiday abroad. I think we'll go to Benidorm. I've seen a water park that I've always wanted to take him to but haven't been able to."

Also among the £52,631 winners was Allyson Robertson, Michael Cockburn, David Morrow, Anne Dowson, Henry Dowson, and Ethel Stirman.

The neighbours' win also means multiple local charities will receive vital funding boosts. And one organisation, East Durham Veterans Trust, a charity supporting veterans and their families, has received £35,000.

The charity was conceived after founder and CEO Andrew Cammiss, having served in the armed forces himself, discovered an evident lack of support and services for veterans and their families in the area.

Andrew said: "Everyone at East Durham Veterans Trust is absolutely delighted to hear about the funding. It will make a huge difference and allow us to increase our support for the veteran community, especially those who are struggling with their mental health."

He added: "Since being formed as a charity, we have supported over 1100 veterans and their family members. Thanks to players of Postcode Lottery, we are looking forward to being able to further support the veteran and armed forces community."

Other charities who have benefitted from this week's Millionaire Street prize include:

• Bradley Lowery Foundation - £75,000 Supporting families who are fundraising for treatment for a child. They are also building a special holiday home for families to enjoy and make memories together.

• Moving On Durham - £40,000 A local dedicated youth homelessness charity with over 30 years of experience, helping vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

• Horden Youth and Community Centre - £35,000 A welcoming hub offering a variety of activities and clubs for people of all ages. The centre supports over 4,500 people each year.

All funding was awarded by Postcode Community Trust. 

Deserving Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Planet Trust. Supported by our players, this trust has a mission to support the environment and the enjoyment of nature. Benefitting charities include African Parks, RZSS and The Wildlife Trusts.

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