Postcode Millions
Cash For Cupar
A trio of especially lucky Fifers got their hands on almost £1 Million when their postcode, KY15 5EL, was drawn as the full winning postcode.
Margaret Nelson, Kathleen Todd and Bob Marshall from Blalowan Gardens all picked up £333,333 cheques. They struck it lucky when their postcode was announced at a private party at The Corn Exchange in Cupar.
The three players, who are close neighbours, were completely overwhelmed. It wasn't until they arrived at the event that they even knew each other played. And they certainly didn't think they would be heading home with almost £1 Million in their pockets.
Bob Marshall, a retired RAF officer, "couldn't believe it" when he discovered that he had won £333,333. Asked how he'll spend his winnings, the 72-year-old said his first plan is to buy a brand new, comfortable car.
"I don't know which car I want, but a brand new one would be great," said Bob. "And of course, some treats for the family." With two sons, David and Rab, and four grandchildren to spoil, there willl be plenty of opportunities to enjoy his winnings with his family.
67-year-old, Margaret Nelson, also has a brand-new car on the shopping list. "We could all go shopping together and buy them," joked retired nurse, Margaret. "It's just unbelievable - I just can't take it in. I can't believe I've won so much money, it's the best news ever. I've also got plenty of children and grandchildren to spoil with my winnings."
In fact, there's another great-grandchild soon to join the family. Margaret's grandson, Clarke, who collected Margaret's cheque on her behalf, is expecting a baby girl early next month. And if they are looking for a name, they should look to her great-grandma for inspiration and make her lucky for life. Margaret has proven to be one of the luckiest names for People's Postcode Lottery, with over 4,000 having won with the charity lottery to date.
Last but by no means least it was 77-year-old Kathleen Todd's turn to reveal her winning cheque. Yet for Kathleen, luck was most certainly on her side. The retired nurse and Cupar's 2010 'Citizen of the Year', is due to move house and postcode in just two weeks. "Just think if I moved house and changed my postcode last month!"
However, Kathleen was quick to point out that she's not moving too far away and the new house is still in lucky Cupar. Now with £333,333 she plans to spend her winnings on decorating her house and perhaps splashing out on a new automatic car too. That would make it even easier to visit her son, Ewan and his wife, Hayley, who live in Arbroath.
Kathleen won her 'Citizen of the Year' award for her sterling charity efforts. After finishing up at Adamson Hospital, she has continued to raise fantastic funds for Adamson Hospital League of Friends over the last 20 years.
Yet it wasn't just the trio from Blalowan Gardens who won big at the Cupar Corn Exchange. A setting more accustomed to the trading of grain saw the trading of cheques, with a further 176 postcode sector players winning between £670 and £17,420.
In a final surprise of the day, sector prize winner Margaret Burnett, who earlier won £17,420, was brought back onto the stage to be presented with the keys to a brand new BMW 1 Series. Shaken by her win, she just couldn't believe it. "Back in 2010, I dreamt that someone from the People's Postcode Lottery told me I had won - how unbelievable is that? It's my birthday on the 30 July, so I will certainly be treating myself to a little something."
This is the second time that the Postcode Millions has landed in Fife in the last six months. At Christmas, players in Cowdenbeath started 2012 with a bang after scooping £1 Million.
X Factor 2009 finalist, Danyl Johnson, entertained the estimated 370 guests at the party with live performances of some covers of popular chart music. Local bakery Fisher & Donaldson also supplied the catering for the event, with delicious People's Postcode Lottery cakes keeping the crowd sweet while they mingled with friends and discovered that together they have raised fantastic sums for charity.
As a charity lottery, players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised more than £19.1 Million for good causes across the country. Maggie's, WWF-UK, Children 1st, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Missing People were all in attendance at the event to thank the players for their continued support.
For one Maggie's service user, getting to meet some of the players and people in her local community, who raise fantastic funds for the charity, was a great honour. Speaking at event, Julie Nicoll said, "It's players like these here that are helping people like me, people who are suffering from cancer and are dealing with it every day."
"I can't thank the players of People's Postcode Lottery enough for helping to make Maggie's happen. The funding Maggie's receives can keep a centre, like the Maggie's Fife in Kirkcaldy that I use, running for four years - their support is immense, and I would ask everyone to play and help to bring this service to so many people in need of support and advice."
Published: 14/07/2012