Clifton postman bags huge £125,000 Postcode Lottery win along with 6 neighbours

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/not ... 0-11111575

A Clifton postman has won £125,000 on the Postcode Lottery and says the stroke of financial luck will 'sweeten' his upcoming retirement.

Gary Hook, 67, has spent years doing the rounds in areas including Barton-in-Fabis, Thrumpton, Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Kingston-on-Soar and had already planned to retire this year.

Mr Hook and his wife - 71-year-old Barbara - are now preparing to jet off to Tenerife to celebrate their win, although it is not even the biggest gain in the family.

Beverley Bell, who is Mr Hook's sister and who lives on the same Clifton street, has landed a staggering £250,000 due to playing with two tickets.

Andy Burnham and John Healey to bring in bank account changes for people with £10,000 savings

Police order issued across West Bridgford in response to trouble at weekends

The 60-year-old, who worked for 40 years at Boots, had been playing the Postcode Lottery without her brother knowing and both were in complete shock at each other's news.

Mr Hook said: "Never in a million years did I think anything like this would ever happen to us. I didn't expect such a huge amount. I didn't want to let myself dream as big as that."

Mr Hook and his sister were among seven neighbours sharing a £1 million prize when NG11 8QB landed the Postcode Lottery's weekly 'Millionaire Street prize' on Saturday (August 15), with each ticket worth £125,000.

The postman added: "I'm 67 and I'm down to three days a week now, but I planned to officially retire this year. This will sweeten my retirement for sure."

Kiri Storer says her dad Gavin almost missed out on his £125,000 windfall after he considered cancelling his ticket a few weeks ago – but he will now use the winnings to explore Europe.

Ms Storer, 32, said: "He'd be raging if he had stopped and missed out on this." Lorry driver Darren Gilmore, 60, was also among those to scoop the £125,000 prize.

Three Nottinghamshire charities have also benefitted from significant donations thanks to funds raised by Postcode Lottery players.

The Footprints Conductive Education Centre, helping children living with mobility and communication difficulties across the East Midlands, has been awarded £65,000.

The Imara CIO, providing support to youngsters and their families affected by abuse, has also been awarded £65,000.

Open Homes Nottingham, which aims to prevent youth homelessness, and Zephyr's - supporting families bereaved by the loss of a pregnancy, baby or child - have both been awarded £50,000.