Rugby Millionaire Street

CLASSIC car fan Adrian Platt is planning a dream trip round Britain in a vintage Volkswagen camper van - after scooping £333,332 on People's Postcode Lottery.

Thrilled Adrian told how he has always wanted to restore a 1963 Split Screen VW and go travelling with his wife and grandchildren.

The stunned civil servant threw a hand over his mouth after being presented with a cheque for £166,666 - then bent double with shock when he was handed a second cheque for the same amount because he plays with two tickets.

And he whooped: "The dream does come true!

"I love classic cars. Maybe I could go round and say 'that would be a nice project' and do something with a classic car.

"The dream would be having a 1963 Split Screen Volkswagen camper van. I could spend a bit of time doing that up and driving round the UK with my wife and the grandchildren.

"We'd take in all the sites and villages in the UK. We can take our time and look round this beautiful country."

Adrian and four other neighbours had a ball in Rugby, Warwickshire - home of the sport - after sharing £1 Million when CV21 3SY landed our Millionaire Street prize. Every ticket was worth £166,666, but Adrian doubled his winnings with two tickets.

Adrian said: "We had a yearly plan and now that has completely blown it. The sun's out, it's a beautiful day and you have just made my day completely. I can't put it into words. It's a shock to the system. My life is going to change completely.

"When I got the phone call to say that I'd won at least £1,000, I thought I would have been happy with £500. I never dreamed of a figure like the one that I'm holding in my hand right now. I'll need to sit down and have a cup of tea or something stronger. I haven't slept properly since getting the phone call to say I'd won.

"I never thought I'd see the day when someone would give me a cheque for that amount. I thought one day it might be me; it is today, and it is me. Now there will be a lot of happy days going forward on that type of money. Me and my wife can start enjoying ourselves now."

Adrian later called retired wife Jacqueline to break the news of their win as she babysat their two grandchildren - and she broke down.

He said: "The kids were asking why she was crying, and she said it was happy tears. It's time to do things that we want to do, we're not getting any younger."

Kind-hearted Adrian also said he wants to spread his joy by helping friends and family.

He said: "I'll sort my twin brother out and other family and friends that I haven't seen for a while. Just to help people out. I like to share."

Across the road, bubbly great gran Gill English is planning a slap-up carvery dinner for her big family after scooping £166,666 - and will also buy her hubby a new pair of shoes.

The retired carer said: "Oh my God! Flippin' heck! I'll take the family to a carvery. I also said I'd buy Kev a new pair of shoes. He'll have the begging letter written!"

Retired chauffeur Kev laughed: "I've already written the begging letter."

The couple are both recovering from cancer. Kev had melanoma and Gill is still receiving treatment after having part of her right lung removed.

But Gill said they are more interested in helping family - including her three sons, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren - than treating themselves.

She said: "I love buying presents and love doing things for people. It's lovely when you feel you have done something for somebody. I love giving. I get great joy out of it.

"If you've got money, you've got it. If you haven't, you haven't. I'm not money motivated, but I am now! This is so lovely. Thank you."

Gill also revealed she hadn't told her hubby that she played Postcode Lottery until she got the call to say she'd won.

She said: "Kev didn't know I even played; I don't tell him everything. I hadn't told anyone except my youngest son. I'll never get any sleep now just working it all out."

Kev said: "It wasn't a secret, she just never told me."

Next door neighbour Pauline Walker hugged Gill after being presented with her cheque for £166,666.

Pauline and retired hubby Charlie will now take time to think how to spend their windfall as she recovers from shoulder surgery after being injured when she tripped in a pothole outside her home.

Pauline, who still works as a school cleaner, said: "It is a shock. I just expected a small amount. Even a small amount is a bonus.

"We'll help family out, spend some on the house and have a holiday - and still have a bit in the bank.

"I quite like Dublin. Me and my daughter go to Liverpool every year when it's her birthday. But I need to think about what we're going to do."

She added: "Five neighbours winning - that's nice. We'll need to have a big party or something. We'll have a few celebrations."

The neighbours' Millionaire Street prize means that local charities have also benefited from a funding boost thanks to Postcode Lottery players.

As double winner Adrian said: "Charities around Rugby are crying out for money coming in. This is fantastic news for charities, too. It makes lives much easier, and for the people that work for them."

And one organisation, The Air Ambulance Service, based in Rugby, has been awarded £80,000 by Postcode Community Trust.

The money will be used to pay for more than 30 potentially life-saving missions.

Donna Young, Director of Fundraising at The Air Ambulance Service, said: "When you consider it costs us £2,300 every time we send the helicopter up, this funding will help us fuel more than 30 missions - that's 30 critically ill people that can receive life-saving treatment.

"Our helicopters are some of the fastest in the sky – being able to fly at around 180mph in a straight line to a hospital can really make that difference - but we also have Critical Care Cars for night time and if the weather means the aircraft can't fly.

"We don't receive government funding so this truly is a phenomenal amount and means we can continue to support our local NHS Trusts with critical care."

Last year the charity celebrated 20 years of serving the county, with more than 50,000 missions completed to date, averaging five flights every day to critically injured patients.

Each mission sees a doctor, critical care paramedic and pilot take to the skies, with the ability to deliver interventions and treatment and even surgery at the scene.

Dad-of-two Guy Watt told how fresh funding is vital for the service which saved his life 10 years ago after he suffered critical injuries in an horrific car crash.

Guy from Rugby said: "In 2014 I was involved in a terrible accident after aquaplaning and flipping my car.

"The doctors didn't think I would survive 24 hours. I had three bleeds on the brain, had lost a lot of blood and had broken most of the bones on the right-hand side of my body.

"The Air Ambulance team arrived within seven minutes and the treatment their doctors gave me at the scene means I'm still here today and able to watch my kids grow up."

The independent mental health advocate added: "This funding from People's Postcode Lottery will save lives."

Other local charities who have received funding include:

ROSA (Rape or Sexual Abuse Support Services) - £50,000 A leading charity established to provide confidential services for survivors of rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse throughout Warwickshire and surrounding areas.

Shine a Light Childhood Cancer Support - £25,000 Shine a Light provides valuable support and an understanding community for children and young people with cancer and their families.

Rugby Gymnastics Club - £25,000 A long-established gymnastics club dedicated to training gymnasts of all ages, levels and ability, with pre-school classes, recreational sessions and competitive squads.

Benn Partnership Centre - £25,000 A thriving community centre in the heart of Rugby. The charity hosts a variety of activities every week, from art and English classes to helping with employment.

Thousands Of Good Causes

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Community Trust. Supported by our players, this trust supports smaller charities and good causes in Wales to make a difference to their community for the benefit of people and planet.

With 33% of the ticket price going to charities and good causes, players of People's Postcode Lottery have now raised more than £1.3 Billion for thousands of projects and groups. Our players are changing lives for the better.

Fantastic Prizes are announced every single day, and it couldn't be easier to take part. If you're not playing yet then check out How It Works, and if you're feeling lucky, sign up to play.