Warrington Wins Big

A Warrington father and daughter found out this weekend that luck really does strike twice after discovering that they had each won £200,000 in our October Postcode Millions. Keith Cunliffe, 48, and his daughter Charlotte, 20, were shocked when their postcode, WA1 3TS, was revealed as the full winning postcode.

Keith, an Engineering First Line Manager for Prinovis, had no idea his daughter Charlotte, a Customer Advisor for BetFred, was also a player. It wasn't until the two discovered their postcode sector had been drawn as a winner that they realised there were two winners living in the same house.

Charlotte said,"My heart dropped when I saw that it was our postcode that was drawn as the big winner. I want to buy a house and this money means that it is possible. I'm 21 next week and it's the best birthday present ever!"

Dad Keith added, "We are going to pay off our mortgage on the family home, so for us both to be mortgage free, it's a fantastic feeling." Wife Ingrid and 17 year old daughter Alicia were there to celebrate with Keith and Charlotte. Keith added "I signed up because I saw how many charities were benefiting, and could see that causes local to me were supported."

Fellow WA1 3TS players Christine Gingell, Patricia Pountley and Leah Johnson were equally thrilled to discover that their postcode had won them £200,000 each. A total of 166 residents shared a prize pot of £2 Million at The Park Royal Hotel, Warrington.

Care Manager Leah Johnson, 44, only signed up to play three months ago. She couldn't believe it when the £200,000 cheque was revealed. Leah said, "I saw the adverts on TV and had a good feeling about it. Three months later and I'm £200,000 better off. It's amazing!"

Leah is next door neighbours with fellow winner Christine Gingell, who also won £200,000. Christine, 37, was at the celebration with her husband Daz, mother Joan and father Paddy. She said, "My children will have a very good Christmas this year. Things like this just don't happen to people like us!" Christine wasn't the only the only member of her family celebrating either. Her mother, Joan Fields, scooped a cheque for £15,324.

Christine, who has four children, has already decided that she is going to whisk her family off to Disneyworld. "My kids will all be so excited when I tell them that I've won £200,000. We had no idea we'd win so much money, but I'm sure the youngest will be more excited about heading to Disney," said Christine.

"This really is life-changing for us," continued Christine. "This is the first weekend in ages that Daz hasn't had to work over-time, this money means no more over-time for my hubby."

Patricia Pountley, 55, said, "This is unbelievable, I've only been playing for a year and I've just won £200,000. It's just so easy to sign up and play People's Postcode Lottery and I'm so glad I did."

166 winners attended the celebration and walked away with cheques ranging from £766 up to £200,000. Sector winner Margaret McNulty, 67, had already picked up a cheque for £2,298 when she was then presented with the keys to a brand new BMW 1 Series. An emotional Margaret, who was at the event with her daughter Lynne said, "This is just amazing, I've never won anything before! I've just become a great-grandmother so I will definitely be splashing out some of the money towards my lovely new great-grandchild."

Today's event saw a number of supported charities in attendance including Canal & River Trust, Riding for the Disabled Association and Missing People. Tracey Jackson, regional team leader at Canal & River Trust, spoke of her delight meeting players saying, "I had the opportunity to meet so many players who have supported Canal & River Trust with £375,000 worth of funding and it was wonderful for me to thank players, on behalf of everyone at Canal & River Trust, for their continued support. Congratulations to all the winners from Warrington."

Postcode Millions presenter Judie McCourt said, "What an amazing day it has been, not only for our fab five but for all winners in Warrington, a massive congratulations to you all!"