An Unforgettable Year For Cowling

An overjoyed mum has won our newest prize - a fortnight after cancelling her ticket.

Francesca stopped playing at her old address before signing up at the new home she moved to before Christmas. But her old ticket was still eligible for the January draw - and now she has become one of the first winners to scoop our brand-new 'An Unforgettable Year' prize.

The mum-of-two will get £12,000 every month for a year - a total of £144,000 - as well as a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience courtesy of our charity partners.

Buzzin' For A Dozen

After returning to her previous street to pick up the prize, Francesca said, "I cancelled my ticket two weeks ago because we had moved to another address, and I signed up again with the new postcode.

"I was told I would still be in the January draw at my old address, but I never thought anything of it because I didn't think I'd ever win."

She added, "I'd have been devastated if I'd missed out. But I'm a great believer in 'If it's meant to be, it's meant to be'."

Francesca joined seven other neighbours in the village of Cowling, North Yorkshire, after BD22 0HG was drawn as the winner of our first 'An Unforgettable Year' prize.

Every ticket was worth £12,000 a month for a year.

Each winner and a plus-one will also be able to choose from a series of unforgettable experiences - in Britain or abroad.

They include a seven-day safari to Kenya with Fauna & Flora International, a Brazilian rainforest visit with WWF, excursions to a national park in Mozambique or South Africa with Peace Parks Foundation - or a five-star trip to Edinburgh with a VIP experience at the zoo courtesy of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Francesca now plans to use her monthly cash to continue renovating the family's new home, including building a garage for John, her IT technician husband.

The speech and language therapist said, "This will help with the house we've just bought which is a wreck and needs to be done up. We moved in November to get a garden. But it is very dated. We've done the electrics and central heating, but we need a new roof, windows and doors.

"My husband wanted a garage, but we discovered the kitchen ceiling was full of asbestos, so we had to pay for that. I'm really happy that he can get a garage now."

Francesca also wants to take her son and daughter to Orlando, Florida, at Easter - and may organise a trip to New York for John.

She said, "I want to take my children to places that they've never been to before, like Orlando and Mexico. I'd also like to take John to New York."

But she also fancies the 'unforgettable' Kenyan safari holiday - and will take her beloved mum Hilary.

She said, "We love animals and we've wanted to do something like that forever. My mum has always been there for me. Without her, I probably wouldn't be where I am."

She added, "I'm a person that whatever comes, I'm grateful for. Winning with my neighbours is the best experience because you're not alone. They're a fab bunch."

Two For Won

Thomas and Lindsay, Francesca's friends across the street, described how they always put off signing up for People's Postcode Lottery, but finally joined just three months ago and are now celebrating their big win.

Window cleaner Thomas said, "Every time a leaflet came through the door, we said we would do it, but we never did. Then I said, "The next time a leaflet comes through, we'll do it there and then."

"We would have been devastated if the neighbours had won this and we hadn't, knowing it could have changed our lives too."

The dad-of-three added, "We've only been playing since October, so this is absolutely brilliant."

The couple now plan to replace their Renault Clio with a Peugeot 3008.

Thomas said, "First of all we'll go out and get a better car. I'm too big for a Clio."

Before anything, though, the couple vowed to throw open their doors to their neighbours for drinks and a buffet.

Lindsay said, "We'll celebrate with all the neighbours. They are always there for us whenever we need them.

"We've told everyone it is an open house. Hopefully, they'll all nip in and out and have Prosecco and nice food, laughing and crying together."

A Double Celebration

Across the road, Sarah has her sights set on laser eye surgery and a longed-for trip to Australia to see her daughter.

GP receptionist Sarah said, "I'm in a bit of shock. I thought it might have been £30,000. I'd like to have laser eye surgery. Glasses are just a nuisance, aren't they?"

Sarah had planned to visit her daughter Lauren in Melbourne next year but might accelerate her plans now.

The mum-of-two said, "I haven't seen her and her partner since they emigrated seven years ago come June. We originally planned to go in March/April next year, but I might change that. Who knows?"

Sarah and her fiancé were also planning to tie the knot before going Down Under - and make it their honeymoon.

Sarah said, "We always planned to get married just before we went to Australia because my partner said, "You never know, we might get an upgrade on the plane." It will be our honeymoon, so it's a double celebration.

"He is always joking that we would go to the registry office in Skipton and then across the road to the Morrisons café and then back to work."

Winning Together

Directly opposite, Carolyn also has travel plans - as well as treating her son Andrew and his family.

The semi-retired neuro nurse said, "To get £12,000 a month for a year is mind-blowing. You just can't imagine it. I feel so pleased for everyone else in the street who have won. We're all friends and it is just fantastic to win together."

She added, "I'm not very materialistic. I would like to go somewhere different and take my best friend with me. I'd like to go on a really nice cruise.

"It will be nice to help my son and grandchildren as well."

People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Judie McCourt was delighted to hand out our first of the new prizes.

She said, "All of the neighbours who won were just so lovely. We couldn't have wished for a better street to launch 'An Unforgettable Year' prize. I hope everyone who won does just that - have a truly unforgettable 12 months."

Good Causes Everywhere

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.

With 33% of the ticket price going to deserving projects, players of People's Postcode Lottery have now raised more than £1.2 Billion for thousands of charities and good causes across Great Britain, as well as internationally.

Have you been thinking about playing People's Postcode Lottery but not set up your subscription yet? There are Prizes announced every day! Find out more about How It Works. Sign up to play and join the fun.