Champagne For Chelmsford

A former Royal Marine has won the biggest share of our latest £3.2 Million Postcode Millions prize, thanks to his late wife.

A Bittersweet Windfall

Shocked Alan landed £396,694 after his wife Diana set up his winning ticket before passing away from cancer on her birthday in July 2020.

The blind dad-of-one said, "Flipping heck - it's a miracle! Di would be absolutely out of this world.

"She got my Postcode Lottery ticket all sorted out for me - she was the smart one. She's looking out for me!"

Alan's Chelmsford postcode, CM1 7RT, was announced as the full winning postcode in our monthly Postcode Millions prize for May. He was the only ticket holder. More than 540 other players in the wider postcode sector each won at least £4,477.

But Alan said the win was bittersweet without his wife of 53 years by his side. He met 'love of his life' Di when he was a teenager and they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year.

Alan, who has lived in the postcode for 53 years, said, "I've not been on holiday since Di passed away. I'd really like to go back to some of the places that we used to visit - Guernsey, Jersey and the Midlands - which hold so many great memories."

But the kind-hearted pensioner also wants to give a portion of his winnings to charities close to his heart.

He said, "I'm on the waiting list for a guide dog, which would really help me as I don't see or walk very well, and they'd be a great companion. I'd like to give something to Guide Dogs - to help others like me."

Estate agent pal Fiona, who first met Alan three months ago as she cycled past him on her way to work, said, "I'm still in shock for him! He doesn't see many people and he's been through a lot - he's such a lovely man and genuinely deserves this."

Hundreds of winners turned up at Chelmsford's Riverside Leisure Centre on Saturday to pick up wonderful cheques.

Win For Newlyweds

Newlyweds Kate and Claire will use their winnings to help pay for IVF. The couple, who married in April 2022, are desperate to start a family.

Travel agent Kate is beginning fertility treatment and broke down when her £4,477 cheque was revealed.

Partner Claire, a marketing manager, said, "It would be amazing to have a Postcode Lottery baby. But we don't dare to dream."

Kate added, "We have always wanted to start a family."

The delighted pair will also use the cash to help pay for a one-week cruise they've already booked to the Norwegian fjords. And they're still counting the pennies after shelling out for their wedding.

Kate said, "We got married last year. It was wonderful, but expensive. It has been an expensive few years."

Claire added, "We came here thinking we were going to get a grand. This money is going to make a huge difference."

Second Time Around

Delighted Dean bagged a Postcode Lottery fortune ten years ago and blew the lot in a month and now he's planning to do the same with his second win. Divorced Dean scooped £13,431 by playing with three tickets.

The dad-of-four vowed, "This time next week I'll be in the sun again!"

Dean's first lucky strike bagged him £28,000 a decade ago. He paid for his car, a garden spa and a family break to Barbados.

Now he is planning a swift return to the Caribbean with ex-wife Julie and their two kids Alfie and Amy.

The retired building firm administrator - who is recovering from throat cancer - said, "I spent the lot within a month the first time I won. This time I thought a ticket was going to win £1,000, so that would have been £3,000 for me. I've got £10,000 more than I thought. It will be Barbados again!"

Dean's win was part of a bigger family fortune after sister Gail landed £13,341 and cousin Tracy won £4,477.

A Wise Move

Lucky Val considered keeping her old postcode when she moved house in January - but decided to change it to her new address a month later. The dedicated nurse of 40 years netted £4,477 with her shrewd switch.

Mum-of-three Val said, "I thought it was essential to change the postcode, so that's why I did it. What a stroke of luck that was. I'm over the moon.

"I've been spending lots of money on my new house since I moved, so this will really help."

Daughter Danielle said, "My mum so deserves this. She has been through the wringer for the last few years. She's a nurse and very dedicated to her job. She will help out anyone in need. It's about time her luck turned around."

A Gift From Life

Nurses Thomas and Sumi have been saving hard for their own home after moving to the UK from Kerala, India, three years ago. Now the couple are one step closer after they each got £4,477 with two tickets.

Thomas said, "We have been living in a rented house and want to buy our own. That is our dream. But it is very expensive down here. With this money we can get to the next stage and we are very happy with that."

He added, "We are always getting gifts from this life. This is one of them."

Off To The Sun

Ex-miner Danny landed his win after signing up to Postcode Lottery just two months ago - and now plans to join his mates on holiday. Danny didn't think he would make the lads' breaks in Barcelona and Ibiza after quitting work and taking a pay cut to land another role.

Danny said, "I was a miner, but I was depressed down there in the tunnels. I didn't see the sun and I never saw my mates. I was in a bad place.

"I was offered a job as an electrician and had to take a massive pay cut and change my whole lifestyle. This couldn't have come at a better time for me.

"I thought it was £1,000, but I was flabbergasted when I saw the amount. Now I can go to Barcelona and Ibiza."

He added, "A couple of months ago my friend won something on Postcode Lottery and put something on social media. I saw it and thought I'd do it myself. Now look... blooming hell!"

A Retirement Present

Dumbfounded Desiree couldn't believe it when her double ticket came up - three days before she retires.

The mum-of-two won £8,954 with the two tickets she shares with daughter Dagmar.

Now she's quitting work with Transport For London to be near council licensing officer Dagmar at the seaside in Eastbourne.

Desiree said, "I was amazed at the amount. That's nearly £5,000 each for me and my daughter. It will cost me a lot of money to move. Now I could buy some furniture for the new place and enjoy not having to work."

While Alan netted the biggest prize, hundreds of Chelmsford locals netted prizes ranging from £4,477 to £26,862, depending on how many tickets they played with.

People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Judie McCourt was at the party handing out cheques. Judie said, "It's been an absolutely incredible day in sunny Chelmsford handing out millions of pounds to hundreds of lucky winners. I loved surprising Alan at his home and meeting so many winning neighbours, friends and family celebrating together at Riverside Leisure Centre.

"I'm already excited for our next Postcode Millions at the end of the month, where we'll be giving away £3.2 Million to another postcode area!"

Millions For Good Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Children Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust provides grant funding to organisations that inspire and support children and young people to make the most of their lives and opportunities within their communities. Benefiting charities include Young Lives vs Cancer, Magic Breakfast and Whizz-Kidz.

Local good causes have also benefited from player support. Essex Respite & Care Association was awarded £15,000 last year to help adults with acute mental health illnesses to live independently and enjoy a normal life.

With People's Postcode Lottery, 33% of the ticket price goes to charities and good causes. To date, players have raised more than £1.1 Billion for thousands of deserving projects across Great Britain, as well as internationally.

What would you do with a big win? If you're not playing yet, learn more about how People's Postcode Lottery works and sign up to play today. There are Prizes announced every day and thousands of winners every week!