Cotgrave Millionaire Street

A DELIGHTED Samanta Newham told us how she signed up her dad for People's Postcode Lottery just a day after she signed up, then won almost £77,000 each four months later.

Sam decided to join after seeing our telly ad at her boyfriend's home late last year, and roped in dad Peter after telling him the next day.

The pair, of Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, cried and hugged after Danyl Johnson presented each of them with 'life-changing' cheques for £76,923.

Daughter Samantha - who celebrated her birthday last Monday - said: "I was playing first by one day. I came home and told my dad I'd done it, and he chucked his phone at me and said, 'Sign me up as well'. That was just four months ago.

"I had been saying for years that I'd start playing, and an advert came on the telly, so I did it. I was sitting in my boyfriend's with my phone in my hand and I just signed up."

She added: "This is phenomenal - it has changed my life."

Peter - who only retired from his 4am starts as a baker with Morrisons on 31 January - said: "This is unreal. It couldn't be written. I'm glad my daughter got me to join."

Sam laughed: "You're welcome!"

The pair are celebrating with 10 other neighbours in Cotgrave after NG12 3NT won our weekly £1m Millionaire Street prize today. Every ticket was worth £76,923, but one winner doubled their prize to £153,846 as they played with two tickets.

After seeing their whopping wins, Sam and Peter threw their hands over their mouths, then fell into each other's arms as Sam started sobbing with delight.

Chocolatier Sam, who works for The Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Company, told us how her windfall will help her plan a new life with her partner Stephen Goodrum.

She said: "This means a hell of a lot. Me and my partner have been together for two years and want to move in with each other.

"We're looking to buy a house and stay local. He's going to be over the moon, absolutely over the moon. This is incredible for us."

She added: "I might go a nice holiday or have a party for my big 40th birthday next year. And I'll treat my nephew and niece."

And she revealed it's not their first win since she and her dad signed up just a few weeks ago. She said: "The first month we won £12 and a gift the second month - now this! We've got family all over Nottingham, and they've been playing for years."

Stunned Peter - who also has a son and two grandchildren - said he'd treat Sheila, his wife of 47 years, to a luxury cruise.

He said: "I don't really know what to do with it yet as it hasn't sunk in. Some home improvements and take my wife on a cruise to the Greek islands or the Caribbean ... wherever she wants to go."

But footie fan Peter hinted that he might consider treating himself, too. He said: "I might look at taking a box at Nottingham Forest."

Sheila - who retired as an HR assistant for B&Q last October - has no regrets over not signing up. She said: "Samantha kept saying to me, 'Go on and get a ticket', but I said, 'No, it's alright, your dad's got one.'"

She added: "It's amazing. It feels surreal to be perfectly honest. That amount of money is wow!

"We've got some home renovations to do and then just enjoy retirement now. We love to travel."

Around the corner, dad-of-four Andrew Higson poignantly revealed he'll spend part of his winnings on a tribute to his late parents, Alan and Peigi, by restoring a 2007 S-Type Jaguar he bought with the legacy they left to him.

The semi-retired piano tuner plans to have the motor - which he has named Tamara - repaired by a specialist.

He said: "In the garage I've got a 2007 S-Type Jaguar in need of TLC and repair. I said if I won anything I'd do it up. The Jag's called Tamara, just a name I picked that sounds right.

"When my parents passed away, they left enough money for me to buy the house and car. This is very much in their memory and doing the car up will perpetuate that.

"There are a lot of niggly problems, like the paint, a bit of bodywork and some upgrades. The garage will probably suggest getting it into this part of the 21st century. It'll cost a few thousand."

He added: "I didn't mean to buy it. I was walking down a road in Loughborough, and there was a garage selling higher-end cars, and it was there. I walked past it about a dozen times and thought, 'I'll get it.'

"There are 175,000 miles on the clock, but you wouldn't know it when you drive it."

Andrew also had plans for the end-terrace home he bought around 10 years ago.

He said: "The house needs some decoration, the kitchen needs an overhaul and a new washing machine ... trivial stuff like that. I can also look at solar panels and maybe a heat pump.

"It was a long-term plan, but now I can do it straight away."

Andrew joined Postcode Lottery primarily to help fund charities, but admitted he is blown away with his windfall.

He said: "I wanted to contribute to charities on a regular basis, so that was my main motivation for joining the Postcode Lottery.

"I thought I would never win. But I'd say, 'Sign up, it can happen' - it just did. This is going to be a street party and a half. I'm really, really happy and content."

He added: "I've got four kids, so they're going to be very pleased.

"I'm going to be putting it to good use, and some of it will be going back to Postcode Lottery for the charities."

A few doors along, Karen Ferns told us how her win came just a day after Dumfries-born hubby Archie marked a year in remission from cancer.

And the bubbly mum-of-one was also previously diagnosed with breast and thyroid cancers years apart.

Karen was left reeling after being presented with a £76,923 cheque by Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson. Then she covered her face with her hand when he whipped out a second cheque because she played with two tickets.

She said: "I thought that was both of them. Oh my God! Ooh, I'm shaking! I'm absolutely amazed. I'm speechless.

"Oh my God, oh my God! Wow! I'll definitely be having a pint tonight.

"People are just going to say, 'This is unbelievable, are you sure?'"

Archie was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma out of the blue, but was given the heartening news that he was a year in remission just a day before the lottery win.

That came after Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, just weeks after her mum and sister were also told they had the condition.

Then, last year, she was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer but has been given the all-clear from both.

Brave Karen joked: "I'm just greedy, I want it all! It's just the luck of the draw."

The retired couple - whose only son William has cerebral palsy - were heading away on a long weekend to Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire minutes before finding out about their win.

Karen said: "When the Postcode Lottery called, we were out at the hospital for Archie's check-up. When we got back, the carer who looks after William said, 'You've had phone calls from the Postcode Lottery'.

"Archie had Hodgkin's lymphoma, and he got the all-clear again yesterday, so today is the icing on the cake."

She added: "I thought it would be £30,000. Never expected it to be that much. It's going to be banked first and we'll take a few days to think about it.

"I might book a holiday for later in the year now. We have one booked for next year. We can't fly with William anymore now.

"We've already got a holiday booked for next year. It's a Med cruise to France, Spain and Italy. William comes with us wherever we go."

And there could be treats for William. The former courier added: "William likes going to the cinema, theatre, and he likes books. We might get him a better iPad."

The winners all signed up for Postcode Lottery because they believe in supporting good causes at home and abroad.

And one local organisation, Belvoir Vale RDA, has been awarded £50,000 by Postcode Community Trust.

The charity - which is a member of the Riding for the Disabled Association - offers a variety of equestrian activities for children and adults with disabilities, supported by a dedicated team of around 60 volunteers and more than 10 horses and ponies on site.

Lesley Davies, Chair of Belvoir Vale RDA, said: "We believe horse riding and the other equestrian activities that we offer are a key aspect in helping to improve the lives of our participants.

"This, of course, includes significant physical benefit and opportunity to develop and improve skill, but also the strong emotional connection between participants and our horses and ponies, which enhances wellbeing in a very meaningful way.

"Everyone should be able to access the benefit of being involved with horses, no matter their circumstances, and we are committed to providing both ridden and non-ridden opportunities to cater for a wide range of needs."

The charity provided over 900 riding opportunities to more than 100 participants with disabilities last year, and this number is expected to rise significantly in 2025.

Lesley added: "£50,000 is an absolute game-changer for us. As a priority, it will enable us to acquire a new horse carriage, which will significantly improve the accessibility of our carriage driving sessions, particularly for wheelchair users."

"As our demand grows, we are constantly looking at ways to strengthen our existing services but also to widen what we offer.

"We can't thank the players of People's Postcode Lottery enough - this funding is a vital step in ensuring we can continue providing a much-needed community resource."

Charities Everywhere

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Education Trust. Supported by our players, this trust delivers grant funding to organisations that provide education, particularly in emergency situations. Benefitting charities include Global Fund for Children, Right To Play UK and Save the Children.

With People's Postcode Lottery, a minimum of 30% of each ticket price goes to charities and good causes. Our players have funded thousands of good causes across Britain and beyond. To date, players have raised more than £1.4 billion for community projects and charitable organisations.

If you haven't signed up to play yet, it's quick and easy to join the fun. You never know when your postcode is going to get lucky. Find out How It Works or check out the amazing Prizes our players can win. Winning postcodes are announced every single day and we have thousands of happy winners every week.