Chorley Millionaire Street

A gran plagued by health problems is celebrating after scooping a £400,000 win.

The mum-of-two shared £1 Million with three neighbours in Chorley after their postcode PR7 2QD was revealed as the winner of our weekly Millionaire Street prize today.

Each ticket picked up a cheque for £200,000, but Brenda doubled her prize to £400,000 as she played with two tickets.

Dream Come True

Brenda had a stroke in March, just as her mobility had started to improve after breaking her back. Now the retired nurse and husband, Dennis, a die-hard Manchester United fan, can't believe how their luck has changed after winning their People's Postcode Lottery prize.

A stunned Brenda said, "It's like a dream come true. I never expected anything like this."

She told us how the win is a real change of fortune for her after battling bad health since 2017, including 10 days in Chorley Hospital earlier this year after suffering a stroke. Brenda said, "It was in the middle of the night. I just woke up and couldn't move and then when I tried to speak to Dennis, I couldn't talk and that's all I can remember.

"Dennis carried me down the stairs, put me in the car and got me there quick."

She added, "We've been married 53 years, since I was 19. He's been my only boyfriend. And we look after one another, don't we?"

Doctors later advised Brenda that the stroke - which left her temporarily blind - was caused by a blood clot moving from her heart to her brain. Six years earlier, Brenda had an adverse reaction to medication which resulted in a life-altering back injury. She said, "I broke my back in seven places. Not my spine, my bones and all the bottom of my back. It ruined my life."

Brenda had to sleep in husband Dennis's man cave in the garden for six months as she didn't have the mobility to move around her house. She also had to wear a special cage device following the trial until she regained strength.

Dennis also had a stroke at 59, but the couple now hope to put their health issues behind them. Brenda said, "After Christmas, once I get the all-clear from the hospital, I'm ready for a really good holiday. My son comes and looks after my two dogs, and I think he'll be looking after them for a little bit longer this time.

"We usually go to Tenerife because I'm happy there and that's where we like going. We usually go just for a fortnight, and then a fortnight again later in the year, but I can assure you it'll be more holidays this time. For longer and perhaps a cruise."

Former plumber Dennis had transformed the couple's semi into their dream home, but Brenda's health issues meant they were considering selling up after 40 years. Now they won't have to. Brenda added, "This will buy me a little bungalow and we can still keep the house - that'll be lovely."

The teenage sweethearts plan to celebrate with their two sons and five grandchildren and hope to have a "weekend away in a nice hotel" together as a special treat.

Lifelong football fan Dennis might add to his club memorabilia collection, which includes a programme from the 1968 European Cup final which he attended. He said, "I'll be probably getting some Manchester United related goods, maybe a season ticket, you never know."

Comfort Over Speed

Another winner on the street was Paul, who was blown away by his £200,000 cheque. Now the dad-of-three is planning on ditching his tired Ford Fiesta for a new motor, but despite his windfall he's opting for comfort over speed.

Paul, who works for an electrical company, said, "I'm going to buy a beer first and then a car.

"I hate my car that I've got at the minute. I'm not really into big or fast cars. I just want to be comfortable while I'm driving.

"I'm a [Ford] Mondeo man and I'm not going to change that."

Gobsmacked Paul tried to keep his expectations in check after receiving a call from our People's Postcode Lottery team a few days before we knocked on his door. He said, "I would have been happy with anything, but I can't comprehend that amount of money, it's obscene.

"I had looked online and thought I'd maybe win their £30,000 prize but this is just ridiculous."

Paul is also hoping to treat his parents, but only if they'll accept his kind gesture. He said, "I'll hopefully send my mum and dad away on a holiday, but that's only if they'll take it, because they're stubborn."

Kind-hearted Paul also vowed to give some money to a greyhound charity on behalf of Harry, his pet greyhound.

Joint Operation

Further along the road, grandad David yelled "Yahoo!" after People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Judie McCourt revealed his £200,000 cheque. He's now planning to arrange knee surgery for himself and for his wife, Lynne.

David, who worked as a self-employed joiner before retiring due to his dodgy knees, said, "When the specialist called me and said how much it would cost to get my other knee done, I thought, 'I'll have to go and rob a bank, won't I?' Well, the bank's come to me!"

He's due to go in for surgery next week for one knee replacement, but after hearing from the hospital that it could take a year until he gets surgery on his left knee, he's now going private. David said, "On the same day that I got a call from hospital, and they told me it could take 12 months, we got a call from the Postcode Lottery saying we'd won!"

He added, "Lynne also wants a new knee. She had one done 10 years ago, and she needs another."

Lynne said they'll definitely go on holiday once they're both back to full health but before then they'll treat their seven grandkids. David explained, "One of the grandchildren wanted to go to Iceland and it's £1,000 for a three-day trip. We can give it to her as a Christmas present now, probably.

"Then there's the others to think about, what they might want. We'll think of something. We'll not leave them without."

David's going to celebrate tonight by adding another whisky bottle to his cabinet, but Lynne had other ideas. She said, "He'll have a few whiskies, but I think I need to have a lie down. It's just unbelievable."

People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Judie McCourt said, "It was a fantastic sunny day to be out knocking on more winners' doors. We felt so welcomed on their street."

Judie was also pleased to hear about a local charity in Chorley that's been helped by player support. She said, "When players buy a ticket, charities win every time and it's brilliant to hear local charities like Opportunity Sports Foundation is supporting disadvantaged young people through sports."

Opportunity Sports Foundation provides sporting and leisure activities to especially, but not exclusively, disadvantaged young people. They help nurture the talent and potential in young people and help them achieve their ambitions whilst having fun. This year the charity was awarded £21,900 thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery.

Charities Win Too

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Planet Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust delivers grant funding to organisations that work to protect and promote our environment and wildlife. Benefiting charities include WWF-UK, Marine Conservation Society and The Wildlife Trusts.

With People's Postcode Lottery, 33% of the ticket price goes to amazing charities and good causes around the world. Our players have raised more than £1.1 Billion so far!

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