Birmingham Wins Big

An ecstatic nurse told how she only won £250,000 on People's Postcode Lottery because her husband persuaded her not to cancel.

Jannet Balansag was ready to scrap her subscription until husband Dave Tagabuhin, who is also a nurse, talked her out of it.

Now the hard-working NHS couple are among the first to bag the lottery's new monthly prize where every winning player can scoop an amazing £250,000.

Jannet, of Birmingham, said: "I almost cancelled Postcode Lottery. But he told me 'you're not going to cancel it'. I'm glad I listened to him now."

Dave added: "I just told her, no matter what happens just keep going because some of the money is going to charities as well."

Jannet and three neighbours were celebrating after B31 4JU in Birmingham was announced as the winner of the new prize today.

Every winning ticket was worth £250,000. But one of the winners doubled their windfall to a whopping £500,000, thanks to playing with two tickets.

Now Jannet and Dave want to buy their first family car, take a dream trip to Vatican City - and will reunite with their family in the Philippines.

The mum-of-one said: "I just can't express any words to describe this. It's just unimaginable.

"We've just started a family and now we've got to change our plans.

"I think we'll have vacations to plan... vacations with an 's'."

The couple, who both work in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, told how the win will transform their lives as well as their one-year-old daughter Jada's future.

Jannet, a nurse in the Intensive Treatment Unit, said: "We both work full-time, and we do alternate shifts at the hospital, and we only see each other on Sundays.

"Now we’ll have more quality time with this money. I’ll get to see my daughter more often."

Dave, who works in the Stroke Unit, added: "It’s properly life-changing for us. We can maybe even make an extension to the house, and we’ll all be together much more.

"And we don’t own a car - so we'll buy one for sure."

The couple, who moved to the UK five years ago, told how they haven’t seen their family in more than two years - but will fly back next month.

Jannet said: "It’s just the perfect timing as we’ve both been so excited, counting the days until we go on vacation, because we’ll be able to see our family for the first time in two years and they’ll meet our daughter which will be very special.

She added: "This will really change our plans... we'll be travelling now. We'll get to experience so many things.

"I want to go to The Vatican, I'm a devoted Catholic, so I really want to see it with my own eyes and experience it."

Dave added: "I’d like to roam around Europe, like Italy, or maybe Spain, we’ll decide on a trip."

Despite becoming a quarter-millionaire Jannet has no intention of leaving nursing.

Jannet said: "I won’t be stopping work because I love my job. Our passion is helping people.

"When my dad got sick, I wanted to help and thought it would be amazing to have someone in the family who can really look after people.

"Maybe this is like our good karma, but we've never asked for much and this money is more than we ever dreamed of."

Teary Jannet also expressed how significant the win will be for their toddler Jada.

She said: "It's crazy that her future is already settled, and we've got savings for her and all of that. It's changed all of our lives forever.

"I hope more people will be able to experience exactly what we're experiencing right now."

At the other side of the cul-de-sac, Annette Hinde also cheered the same stunning sum.

The great gran told how she'll buy a seaside mobile home on the west coast with her £250,000 winnings.

Annette said: "This is going to make so much difference, it will bring a lot of joy.

"I'd like to live by the sea for six months of the year. It will be bliss to be by the sea. It's so good for me because I've got chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the salty sea air is very good for your lungs. It'll do me the power of good."

Annette is also planning to treat her big family - with two daughters and four sons, 10 grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren.

And she'll start with a shopping spree with her daughters.

Annette said: "I’m going to go shopping with the girls, and it’s a case of whatever we want we can have, instead of just adding things up as we go around. It’ll be fantastic.

Annette signed up to the lottery after she had a strong 'feeling'.

She said: "I just had a feeling. I kept seeing Postcode Lottery on TV and it bothered me that I wasn’t in it. I joined and this is the result after just six months.

"I never thought people like me won things like this. I was pleased with winning the small wins of £10 and £15, so quarter-of-a-million is like wow!"

Annette is also hoping to splash out on a staycation to one of the UK's most coveted holiday spots.

She said: "It would be nice to go to Cornwall and stop in at a really nice hotel and be a bit spoiled."

Deserving Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Support Trust. Supported by our players, this trust’s mission is to support people who need help to live happy and more fulfilled lives.

Players aren't the only ones who benefit from People's Postcode Lottery. A minimum of 30% of each ticket price goes to charities and good causes. Thanks to our fantastic players, more than £1.5 Billion has been raised for thousands of deserving projects.

Not playing yet? Do you know about all the amazing Prizes our players can win? Learn about how People's Postcode Lottery works and sign up to play today.