A Toast For St Andrews

TWO retired council carers and long-time neighbours are celebrating a 'hole in won' after scooping a bumper People's Postcode Lottery prize in the home of golf.

Carol Lee was left stunned after banking £60,000 and cuddled her old pal Frances Nicoll - a neighbour for more than 40 years - when she landed £30,000 a few doors away in St Andrews, Fife.

Mum-of-three Carol said: "It's amazing to win with Frances because we worked together for years. We've also lived here since day one when the houses were built more than 40 years ago."

Grandmother Frances added: "It is absolutely great to win with Carol - absolutely amazing."

Carol and Frances scooped our weekly Street Prize with three other neighbours after KY16 8HZ was announced as the winner today. Every ticket was worth £30,000, but Carol doubled her winnings by playing with two.

When Carol was presented with her first cheque, she said: "I'm shaking! Oh man! Oh wow! That is amazing. That doesn't happen to me."

Then when Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt whipped out the second one, she added: "Oh for goodness' sake. That is unbelievable. Who says January is a bad month? I'm absolutely delighted."

Now Carol is pondering a sunshine break with retired MOD driver hubby Sandy, who is doing up her living room, and a special treat for her three kids and six grandchildren.

She said: "We'll probably go on holiday. I have a son, two daughters and six grandchildren. We could have a brilliant holiday for the whole family. Maybe Disney in Florida would be an idea; I've never been there in my life. The family will think I'm kidding and that I've lost it.

"I was going to be doing up my living room - emulsioning. Now I can get something else."

But she might sneak a wee something for herself. She said: "I like Chanel. I might treat myself to something like that."

She added: "I always saw January as a bad month, but not this January. I would have been delighted with £1,000, so you can imagine what I'm like with £60,000."

Hubby Sandy told us how he has dreamed of two special holiday destinations.

He said: "I've always wanted to do a Norwegian Fjords cruise from Dundee - just down the road.

"I'd also like to go on the Rocky Mountaineer train in Canada. The scenery is really majestic."

And he laughed: "Not as good as Scotland, mind you!"

He added: "Carol plays with two tickets because there are two of us. As the song goes, it takes two."

A few doors along, Frances admitted she'd been up all night, then threw her hands over her mouth when Judie McCourt revealed her £30,000 cheque.

Now she's considering visiting her son, Scott, in Portugal, with her husband, John, and helping her two grandsons.

She said: "My heart has been going tickety-tock, tickety-tock since I got the phone call to say I'd won. This is absolutely amazing for us. We're in our seventies, and it is a bonus.

"My son is out in Portugal, and he thought I was pulling his leg when I phoned him. We go out there a lot, but John will want to go right away now. There'll be something for my grandsons, too."

She also hinted to former bus driver and union convener John - who had suffered a stroke more than 30 years ago - that she might buy him a posh new watch after he passed his old one on to their son.

She said: "I bought him a Breitling watch a long time ago. It was a lot of money in those days. He had it all these years, and it was a lovely watch."

Frances added: "I play every month for the charities and what it does for them, especially in this day and age."

She will be delighted to know that by playing she is helping support a vital air ambulance service to take off into the future.

Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) recently announced that it will soon launch the UK's most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type.

The hi-tech aircraft - the Airbus H145 D3 - customised for medical flights, will be ready for service, based in Aberdeen, later this year.

SCAA provides rapid emergency response by air and land for patients who have experienced a time-critical emergency. The charity is there for everyone in Scotland when they need it.

Crews will be equipped with night vision technology, to allow 24-hour operation, and weather radar capabilities. The helicopter also allows additional flight time, helping crews to assist in more remote areas.

Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery is helping to keep SCAA flying and saving lives - players have already raised £1.45 million for the charity.

Postcode Lottery's Judie McCourt congratulated today's winners and thanked players for supporting local charities.

She said: "What a way to kick-start 2025 for the fabulous five winners in the beautiful town of St Andrews.

"It's always amazing to hear about the incredible impact our players are making to charities in their local communities, simply by playing People's Postcode Lottery.

"And it's brilliant news that Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance will soon be launching an ultra-high-tech helicopter that could save even more lives."

Good Causes Globally

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Innovation Trust. Supported by our players, this trust provides grant funding to organisations who wish to deliver innovative, impactful and engaging projects across Britain.

At People's Postcode Lottery, 33% of the ticket price goes directly to Charities, and our wonderful players have raised more than £1.4 billion for thousands of good causes across Great Britain and beyond.

Do you have your subscription to People's Postcode Lottery? If you aren't playing yet, check out How It Works and the amazing Prizes that can be won. Why not sign up today and join the fun?