Didcot Claims Prize Pot

A whopping 406 Didcot residents who play People's Postcode Lottery shared a massive £3 Million prize pot at the Postcode Millions event which took place at Milton Hill House in Steventon. 

Didcot Slimming World consultant Carol Walden was in shock when her postcode, OX11 8BE, was revealed as the full winning postcode. This meant that she won the day's biggest prize of £267,642. She said, "I can't stop shaking! I honestly would have been thrilled no matter what we went away with, but this is just unbelievable!"

Carol and her husband Malcolm were inundated with well-wishers at the ceremony. She said, "I've been doing Slimming World for four years and have made so many friends through it. I'm delighted that so many of them are here winning too.

"My son James, who's 22, is moving out soon so I'm going to help him buy some furniture, and Malcolm has his eye on a new car."

"I originally signed up to play because of all of the money that goes to charity. It makes such a big difference without you even noticing it coming out of your bank account."

The remaining 405 winners in the postcode sector OX11 8 took home between £5,800 and £23,200 each, depending on how many tickets they play with.

Husband and wife Willie and Sarah Coates, who play with six tickets between them, won a combined total of £34,800. Willie was the former MD and owner of local transport company Champ Transport and is now retired. Sarah, who is a PA at Oxitec, has plenty of time to decide how to spend her win on an upcoming trip. She said, "We are heading to Majorca, as I love to scuba dive."

Vic Langley took home £17,400 thanks to playing with three tickets. Vic, who was joined by his partner Bev, said, "It's brilliant, I'm speechless. I've been playing for four years but only moved into my new postcode in August so I'm feeling especially lucky. We just got back from holiday in the USA but I think we'll look at somewhere further afield next year now."

The event was hosted by People's Postcode Lottery Ambassadors Jeff Brazier and Judie McCourt.

It's not just players who win with People's Postcode Lottery as at least 31% of the ticket price goes directly to charities. Over £229 Million has so far been raised players, which has supported over 3,000 good causes in Great Britain and internationally.

A number of charities that have received this funding attended the event to thank players for their support, including Oxfam, Missing People, and CLIC Sargent.

Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Oxfam GB Isabelle Sawford said, "Players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised more than £3.5 Million for Oxfam, and are allowing us to continue to save and change lives around the world. Thank you so much for your continual support, your funding really makes such a difference."

There were also happy winners in Cleethorpes after players in DN35 0SJ scooped Saturday's Street Prize, and one lucky Sidmouth player landed £30,000. 

To see more photos of the fantastic event, check out our September Postcode Millions Facebook album.