Woolwell Millionaire Street

A stunned engineer has won £200,000 on the same day as a plumbing crisis - and he won't even need to pay for the repairs.

Gary netted a share of our £1 Million prize moments after a bathroom leak left him scrambling for a plumber.

Now gobsmacked Gary is planning sun-soaked holidays, treating his family and friends, and making his home watertight.

Major Cashflow

The appliance engineer, of Woolwell, Devon, said, "It's one of those things that you never dream of it happening, but it has to me. I'm over the moon."

Gary shared the prize with four neighbours in Woolwell after their postcode - PL6 7SU - landed our weekly Millionaire Street prize today.

A few days earlier Gary received a call from our team to say we'd be turning up at his door, but then a morning full of anticipation turned to crisis when his wife Elaine discovered the leak.

Gary said, "It's been quite a day. We were waiting on the Postcode Lottery coming and then Elaine found a leak in the ceiling, so it's been a bit of a crisis."

Elaine called in plumber nephew Corben, but the last thing he was expecting to see was our camera crew. He arrived just as Presenter Matt Johnson revealed Gary's cheque.

Corben, who owns a plumbing and heating company, said, "I literally didn't even know. No one had even told me that the Postcode Lottery were coming, everyone in the family knew but me.

"To be there and watch him get that, it's unbelievable. Mental money."

Corben teased that their bill had just gone up but said the repairs would be free of charge.

He said, "I'm buzzing for them, it's life-changing. But I can't charge them - it's my auntie and uncle, isn't it?"

This win means Gary has some extra spending money for his holiday to Benidorm in two weeks, but also wants to book a few other holidays this year - with his wife's permission.

He said, "I'll go and play golf in Portugal and maybe go to a football tournament in Portugal. Maybe. If I'm allowed."

Gary hopes to increase his chances by offering Elaine a surprise.

He said, "I'll treat her to a spa weekend in Bath - for her, her sister and niece."

A portion of his winnings will go towards combining two sporting passions in the Algarve, Portugal.

Gary said, "I do a yearly golfing trip with friends from Pennycross Sports and Social Club and my father-in-law. We also have a Veteran's football tournament across there where we'll play against Elburton Villa Veterans.

"I'll put a picture of my cheque on the WhatsApp group and see what they all say. I think they'll be a bit surprised."

Gary is heading to his local pub to celebrate tonight but he won't be drinking champagne just yet.

He said, "I moved my shifts around for Postcode Lottery's visit - now I'm working tomorrow. So, I'll need to be careful, it'll just be a few pints."

The couple, who have lived on the street for 12 years, were delighted to find out that four of their neighbours had also won £200,000 each.

Gary said, "I just can't believe the amount and the people that have won it on the street as well."

A Pawsome Win

Also celebrating was Julie. The former carer was lost for words at her £200,000 windfall.

She said, "It's surreal. I can't put into words how I'm feeling. It will really make a difference."

It wasn't just Julie who had a bounce in her step after winning - her dog Lulu pranced through her front door to see what all the fuss was about.

Lulu, a four-year-old Leonberger, weighing in at over 72kg, was doubly delighted for Julie.

Julie said, "She's a big softy and she was really happy to have a camera crew in her garden. I'm sure she felt she'd won the lottery too."

Julie admitted that her win would help feed her massive pup. She said, "It might just cover Lulu's food for the year. She eats two kilos of raw meat a day.

"She goes everywhere with me and has been my rock recently."

Julie is now planning a trip across the world to Australia, and a shorter journey over the Irish Sea to visit her son.

She said, "I'd love to go visit my cousin in Australia and spend time away but first I'll visit my son in Belfast."

Marvellous Mary

Another neighbour celebrating a six-figure windfall was Mary. Upon seeing her cheque, Mary exclaimed, "Wow! That's enough, I can even spoil myself now."

The first thing on her mind was to help her family, including her sister, three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

She said, "It's always family. It'll be great to be able to help them out."

Caring Mary wants to help with vet bills for her sister's poorly pooch.

She said, "My sister's 11-year-old dog Darcy had to get her back leg amputated on Friday last week. The pet insurance only covered some of the costs so I can help pay for some of the extra costs of Darcy's ongoing treatment."

The huge windfall will mean Mary will also be able to spoil herself.

She said, "I can decorate the house, have the garden revamped and buy a new car.

"My children are always telling me I must have a new car because it's so old."

Swimmin' In It

Adrienne also scooped £200,000 and will be celebrating a big birthday this year.

The great-gran-of-nine said, "I'd have been thrilled to win a tenner, but I can't believe this!"

Adrienne found out she'd won after arriving home from her swim club and intends on treating all the ladies of Marjons Aquafit.

She said, "For my 80th we're hoping to go to a spa, and now I could even treat everyone who comes along."

Along with spoiling all her grandkids, Adrienne is planning a cruise to Tenerife to visit her two sisters.

Vital Funding Boost

All the neighbours signed up for People's Postcode Lottery because they wanted to help local, national and international charities.

And right on their doorstep Hearts Together, based in Derriford, has been awarded £70,000 by Postcode Community Trust.

The charity provides home-from-home accommodation and a range of additional practical, financial, and emotional support services through its Hearts Together Hospital Hotel in Plymouth for patients, carers and relatives receiving medical care or visiting a loved one in hospital.

It supports between 7,500 and 10,000 families a year and has been open since 2001.

Liz Harding, CEO of Hearts Together, said, "Demand for our services is continuing to grow year on year. In 2023 alone we had over 4,000 requests for overnight stays that we were unable to accommodate. Due to the continued high demand, we have ambitious expansion plans, and we need everyone's support to make these plans a reality."

During lockdown, Liz stoically ensured the continued provision of the charity's services, with Hearts Together additionally supporting the NHS during this time by providing space for short-term interim patients. More than 140 were moved over from the local hospital, cared for and returned home.

"Thanks to vital funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery we've been able to take a huge step towards our ambitious expansion plans named The Big Build, which will meet increasing demand head-on," Liz added.

"We're aiming to expand our services across the board, from offering bespoke apartments for extended stays and implementing more wellbeing community support programmes for those dealing with complex health challenges. The funding we have been awarded takes us much closer to achieving our end goal."

Hearts Together serves as a lifeline for so many families offering support extending beyond accommodation.

Other charities in the area receiving funding thanks to Saturday's Millionaire Street prize win include:

• Plymouth Sports Charity Limited - £35,000 This charity helps local people with physical and mental health challenges through community projects to become more active, build self-confidence and gain qualifications to help with employment.

• The Chestnut Appeal - £35,000 The Chestnut Appeal works to highlight the most common cancers in men. They also raise funds for the latest equipment to aid with treatment, as well as funding the work of specialist nurses.

• Woolwell Community Resource Trust - £70,000 Woolwell Community Resorce Trust is committed to enhancing the lives of people in the community through a wide range of activities and events. They provide a safe space for everyone to use and also have a cafe for anyone who needs a warm space.

All funding was awarded by Postcode Community Trust (opens in a new tab).

Deserving Projects

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Community Trust (opens in a new tab). 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.

Our players are raising funds for charities and good causes across Britain and around the world. To date, People's Postcode Lottery players have raised more than £1.2 Billion for thousands of deserving projects and organisations.

Not playing yet? Do you know about all the amazing Prizes our players can win? Learn about how People's Postcode Lottery works - it's really easy. Sign up to play today and help us help even more good causes.