Pleasant Surprises In Sunnybrow And Portishead

Players in two postcodes are smiling this weekend, as the Saturday Street Prize has landed in Sunnybrow, and one lucky player in Portishead is the pleased recipient of a £5,000 Dream Holiday.

A new taxi and a trip to Spain are on the mind of People's Postcode Lottery's latest Street Prize winner, who was delighted to win £50,000 when his postcode, DL15 0NT, was drawn as a winner.

Richard Rowell, 50, was just about to leave for work when he was surprised by People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt, who presented him with his cheque.

"I'm overjoyed," he said. "I wasn't expecting this at all."

Richard, who works as a taxi driver, has some big plans for his winnings already. "I'm going to use part of the money to buy my own taxi," he said. "It will help out a lot, and it's great I'll be able to buy it outright instead of taking out a loan."

As well as investing in a taxi of his own, Richard would like to give some of his winnings away. "My dad has helped me out a lot over the years, so I'll give him £10,000 - he deserves it," he said.

Father-of-five Richard, who plays with two tickets, has been playing People's Postcode Lottery since 2011. "I really loved the idea of this lottery, so I decided to give it go," he said. "I started with one ticket, but I'm glad I signed up with a second before I won. I'll be putting on a third now though!"

With five children and three grandchildren, Richard has plenty of people to spoil. "I have a trip planned to Spain later this month with my partner Joanne and family," he said. "I'm sure I'll go out for a meal to celebrate too."

After handing over Richard his prize, Judie McCourt said, "I really enjoyed meeting Richard and presenting him with his cheque. It's great to know that he already has good plans for his winnings, and I hope he gets his new taxi soon."

Richard isn't our only winner near Sunnybrow. Blind Life in Durham is an organisation consisting of over 70 people with visual impairments. They were awarded £1,983 from players for their Sport in Blind Life project. With their funding, the group was able to expand their sports services to visually impaired people in the area by offering New Age Kurling, a form of curling that's able to be played indoors on any smooth surface.

Blind Life is just one of a number of charities and organisations supported by players, who have raised over £72.2 Million for good causes both in Great Britain and internationally.

Our other big winner this week is Patricia Chapman, 79, who was shocked to discover her postcode, BS20 6RQ, won her this month's £5,000 Dream Holiday. "It was a very welcome surprise," said Patricia. "I can't remember the last time I won anything."

Although Patricia has only just discovered her Dream Holiday win, she already has a few ideas up her sleeve.

Patricia, a retired staff-nurse, plans to treat herself to a week in the sun following a hospital visit. "I am getting my foot operated on in August," she said. "I think I will go to Portugal after my operation for some recuperation time."

As well as going to Portugal, a trip to Lanzarote is also on the cards for Patricia before the end of the year. "My daughter, Sally, and my son-in-law, Paul, are staying with me temporarily. I would love to take them both to Lanzarote in November to get some winter sun," Patricia said.

Patricia is a keen golfer and has had the opportunity to travel extensively to play golf. "I play golf two or three times a week," explained Patricia. "I might think about going on holiday in the near future where I can play golf."

Patricia signed up to play People's Postcode Lottery last year, saying, "I signed up because I get to support lots of different charities as well as having the chance to win something myself... which I have!"