Capital Win For London

Milan Rana - whose great-grandad was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery during World War One - said he'll use the cash to help kickstart a new life ten years after arriving in London.

The chef joined family already living in the UK after a successful campaign to allow Gurkha veterans to settle here.

And, as he hugged his whopping cheque, he thanked actress Dame Joanna Lumley - who spearheaded the campaign - for giving his family the chance of a fresh start.

Dad-of-two Milan, of Plumstead, London, said: "I want to buy a house and have a nice and peaceful life. I wanted a nice house to live together with my mum and dad and my family. That’s my wonderful dream. Sometimes when dreams become a reality, it is wonderful."

He added: "My family are excited. They always think I'm the lucky guy, but I didn’t dream that I could win this much. I can't believe it, really I can’t. This kind of amount is really life-changing.

"It is a win-win because when you play Postcode Lottery you are helping charities as well."

Milan and another neighbour celebrated after SE18 1AB in London landed today's monthly £250,000 prize.

His dad Durgabahadur was a Rifleman in the Gurkhas and paternal grandfather Chandra Bir Rana fought in the regiment during World War 2. His maternal grandfather Kharka Bahadur Rana also served as a Rifleman.

His maternal great grandfather Karanbahadur Rana, a Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion Queen Alexandra’s 3rd Gurkha Rifle, was given the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to members of British and Commonwealth forces.

Milan, formerly of the village of Phoksing, in the Gulmi district of central Nepal - where his great-grandfather also lived - told of his pride at his heritage.

He said: "To be honest, I am always grateful to my ancestors. They are the ones who brought me into this world."

And he had special praise for Absolutely Fabulous star Dame Joanna who spearheaded a push 17 years ago by the Gurkha Justice Campaign to grant British citizenship and the right to settle in the UK to Gurkha veterans who had retired before 1997.

Milan said: "Joanna Lumley is one of the reasons that we were able to come here because she supported the campaign. She is very high profile, so we have in some way got her to thank for being here.

"My brother came to Britain first, then my mum and dad came followed by me and my sister."

Since then, Milan has thrown himself into the Nepalese community - through his love of cricket.

He said: "When I was in Nepal, I used to play cricket at county level. Then I started focussing on my studies and household things. Finally, after living here for seven years I met someone who introduced me to cricket locally at the Gurkha Cricket Club."

And how will the family celebrate? Milan said: "We're going on a family camping holiday next weekend to a big campsite at Tunbridge Wells and I’m the main person for all the kitchen things."

Deserving Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Children Trust which supports organisations including Barnardo’s, NSPCC and Girlguiding.

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.

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