Enlivened In Canvey Island

Over 790 people in Canvey Island, Essex, are celebrating after their postcode area, SS8 7, shared a £17.3 Million prize pot in our December's Postcode Millions draw.

Eleven residents celebrated the biggest cash prizes after their postcode - SS8 7EE - was announced as the full winning postcode.

Two people playing with two tickets each bagged a whopping £809,020 and nine others on May Avenue each landed £404,510.

Formula Won

A Grand Prix-loving gran was among the eleven neighbours who bagged the biggest cheques.

Racing-daft Sheila had two winning tickets and scooped over £809,000. She has big plans for her prize money and is already planning to jet off and watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next year.

Sheila said, "It's always been a dream of mine to go to see the Formula One and what better one to go than Abu Dhabi.

"I've been a fan of racing since I was a kid, and my late husband was also a big fan."

She added, "I'm sure he's looking out for me. I never played the lottery when he was alive, and I did it on a whim."

Mum-of-two Sheila, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said she'll buy a bigger bungalow to live more comfortably - but has no intention of moving far.

"I've got a frame on my right leg because my walking is terrible due to my condition so a bungalow with more space would be lovely. But there's no way I'm moving from Canvey. All my friends are here and it's just a beautiful community."

Last Minute Entry

A few doors down, lucky winner Lisa is now £404,510 richer - after only playing the lottery for a matter of days!

Lisa signed up at the last minute on 26th November. A day later and she wouldn't have won a penny.

Lisa said, "I had thought about joining then I saw a Postcode Lottery advert and it said 'you've got to enter by midnight to be in this draw' so I did it. I'm glad I did. It's amazing!"

Lisa got the call from our team to arrange a visit while she was on holiday in Iceland with husband Rodney. But she almost missed the knock on her door to get her cheque after her flight home was cancelled.

She added, "I literally just got back from Iceland yesterday. I got the phone call on Wednesday, sitting there in Iceland, and we were meant to come back on Thursday, but our flight got cancelled and we couldn't get back until Friday. There was all this chatter about it and people ringing each other when we were on holiday.

"I didn't see the northern lights in Iceland, but I can chase them now - maybe in Alaska!"

A Spoilt Cavapoo in Canvey

Sixteen-month-old Rosie is set to take the title of most spoilt Cavapoo in Canvey now owner Jeff is £404,510 better off.

Jeff said, "She is very spoilt, and she gets lots of love. She's a little darling."

The retired factory worker is now planning to visit his sister Irene who moved to Sydney, Australia, over 40 years ago.

He said, "It's five years since I was last over. I can think about going back out again. Forget turning left on the plane, I might buy the plane!"

Jeff's immediate plans are a bit more humble and involve a trip to the supermarket.

He said, "I'll go down Morrisons and buy a bottle of champagne later. It's my partner Denise's birthday today so we've got a double celebration. This is the most fantastic Christmas present anyone could wish for."

Wheely Good Plans

Great-grandad Brian plans to splash out on a new motorbike after also picking up £404,510.

The retired taxi driver said, "You can't have too many motorbikes, you know? And the one I've got in the garage is 40 years old.

"This is a figure that you can't really comprehend. This is going to perk the Island up no end."

It wasn't just May Avenue that was 'rocking', as 786 people won a minimum of £13,305 each.

Many locals doubled, trebled and even quadrupled that amount by playing with multiple tickets.

Mexi-Go

Retired local government worker Felix won £39,915 after playing with three tickets. He'd expected to win around £9,000 in total.

Felix, who has lived in Canvey Island for 18 years, was planning to break news of the win to his nurse wife Florence when she finished her shift at a local care home.

He said, "When I woke up this morning, I was doing some sums in my notebook to work out what I could do with the money. I didn't even think it could possibly be this much. I'll definitely have a nice little holiday now.

"I had already wanted to go to Cancun, have some fun, have some rest, come home refreshed and ready for 2024 - the Postcode Lottery has given me that."

Deserving Projects

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Justice Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust delivers grant funding to organisations that help improve lives by delivering justice, human rights and equality. Benefiting charities include Helen Bamber Foundation, Women for Women International and Amnesty International UK.

Local good causes have also benefited from player support. Last year Southend Carers received £22,943 to help its work supporting unpaid carers.

Lucky winners aren't the only ones who benefit from People's Postcode Lottery. With 33% of the ticket price going to charities and good causes, our amazing players have raised more than £1.2 Billion for thousands of deserving causes to date.

With fabulous Prizes announced every single day, it's a great time to become a People's Postcode Lottery player. Take a look at How It Works and, if you're feeling lucky, sign up to play.