A MARRIED couple from a Somerset village are THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION POUNDS better off today - thanks to them both winning the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Benjamin and Faye Spoors won a total of £761,318 – the largest share of a £7.3 million prize pot on Friday evening (October 1).
The couple, who have been married for 10 years, played with one ticket each in the winning postcode (TA12 6BG), after both signing up to play without the other knowing.
They were in shock when they realised they were each taking home a huge prize of £380,659 EACH.
Faye, 37, who works in the clinical waste industry, said: “I’ve gone from shaking to being in complete disbelief.”
Benjamin,also 37, an IT worker for the NHS, added: “We have a lot to think about what we want do with it!”
The couple’s first thoughts were on exotic holiday locations.
Benjamin said: “I want to go to Bora Bora, I’ve always wanted to go. It’s paradise on Earth and I’ve always wanted to stay in a water bungalow.”
Faye continued: “We can finish doing America! My Aunt lives in Georgia and I want to visit every state.
"We’ve done around seven or eight so far. We might go to Philadelphia next, or we could do a road trip and visit a few different places.”
As well as treating themselves, the pair want to help out their families and spend more time with them.
Benjamin said: “My parents live with us, we built them a log cabin in the garden. My dad has Parkinson’s and when things deteriorate, we want to be there for them.”
A visibly emotional Faye added: “The thing that was at the back of my mind was that, if we ever did win, we could do something for him.
"The win will let me spend more time at home now.”
Benjamin and Faye found out they’d won at an outdoor event at Kingsbury Episcopi Community Centre.
409 of their neighbours from Martock and the surrounding villages also won thanks to playing in the postcode sector (TA12 6).
One of those neighbours was 58-year-old Nicola Fitzgerald, an NHS health care assistant, who won £14,030.
Nicola was planning to marry her partner, Ian Luck, last year in Melbourne, but had to cancel due to lockdown.
She now plans to use her winnings for a Greek wedding next year.
She said: “I’m speechless! We want to go to Santorini in Greece to get married. Just family and close friends. It’s really pretty and we want to get married on the beach!”
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Judie McCourt, said: “A huge congratulations to all of our winners!
"It was lovely to meet everyone in person and find out what they’re going to treat themselves with.
"I think I might try and tag along with Faye and Benjamin on their holidays!”
The People’s Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
A minimum of 33% from each ticket goes to charity and players have raised more than £750 million for over 9,000 charities and good causes since 2005.
Local good causes have also benefitted from player support.
‘In Charley’s Memory’ received £19,351 this year to help young people access counselling services and during Friday’s event, a cheque for £4,000 was presented to Dave French, chair of the Kingsbury Episcopi Community Centre.
The Postcode Millions draw was held on behalf of Postcode Earth Trust, which supports charities including Keep Britain Tidy and the National Trust.
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