Streets greet lottery wins at celebration event for poscode game

Billingham families celebrated a cash bonanza as more than 460 lottery players collected their share of £3million.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Jun 2017, 18:30 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2017, 20:12 BST
Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.
Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.

Cheques from the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Postcode Millions were handed out to the winners at a celebration held at Wynyard Hall today,

They won windfalls of £2,976, £5,952, £8,928 or £11,904 before the top prize was announced.

Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.
Dawn and Keith Leighton are told by Judie McCourt they have scooped £300,000 in the lottery.
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Nine of the lucky recipients found out they had the full winning postcode, TS22 5JA, walking away with £150,000 each.

They were welcomed back onto the stage as the cheques they had first been handed were ripped up and replaced with their true payout.

In Dawn and Keith Leighton’s case, they collected double as they had two tickets in the draw.

Dawn, 54, who works at Rolland’s pharmacy in Billingham, and husband of 28-years Keith, 62, a plater for Unit-Birwelco, are looking forward to spending some of their win on the six children and 10 grandchildren they have between them.

Winners show off their cheques at Wynyard Hall.Winners show off their cheques at Wynyard Hall.
Winners show off their cheques at Wynyard Hall.
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Dawn, of Thames Road, said: “When we got married we didn’t have a honeymoon and spent our wedding night in Pizza Hut in Scarborough and then went home to watch Blind Date on TV.

“Now we can have a proper dream honeymoon and jet off somewhere really glamorous.”

The couple are looking forward to spoiling their family - once they’ve had a night out at the bingo to celebrate.

“I’m planning to treat all my children and grandchildren, that’s my first priority,” added Dawn.

Marion Phillips is congratulated by Judie McCourt after she won £150,000.Marion Phillips is congratulated by Judie McCourt after she won £150,000.
Marion Phillips is congratulated by Judie McCourt after she won £150,000.
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Keith said: “When I found out the grand total, I was gobsmacked.”

Also among the top winners was their tearful neighbour Marion Phillips, 70, who was accompanied by son Jonathan, 45.

She plans to buy Jonathan a new van, as well as treat her daughter Louise Parkin, 48, and granddaughters Rebecca Parkin, 18, and Amelia Phillips, 13.

Marion, who works part-time at Reeds Rain estate agent, said: “I had a cheque for £2,976 and then my full postcode came up and we were called onto the stage.

All the winners celebrate their cash windfall.All the winners celebrate their cash windfall.
All the winners celebrate their cash windfall.

“I just couldn’t believe it, it’s mindblowing.”

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Jonathan added: “I’m over the moon and I couldn’t be more happy for my Mam.”

Retired pub boss Linda Walker, 63, plans her £2,976 towards her wedding to Stephen Conway, 65, a retired builder, next year.

“We’ve been together for 18 years, but we have decided to get married and this will take the strain off paying for that,” she said.

National charity, Youth Music, which invests in projects in Hartlepool, thanked the winners personally for their continued support.

Related topics:BillinghamPeople's Postcode Lottery