Superb Win For Pontyclun

A B&B owner from South Wales was celebrating with his wife and their guests on Saturday after scooping £800,000 in the November Postcode Millions.

Stuart Hodgson from Pontyclun found out he'd won when the full winning postcode was revealed as CF72 8FG. All 334 winners were invited to an exclusive cheque presentation at the National Trust's Dyffryn Gardens. Players discovered just how much they had won at the celebration, with amounts ranging from £410 up to the amazing £800,000 windfall.

Stuart, who attended with his wife Elizabeth, spoke of his shock at winning after only signing up to play the month before.

"Elizabeth had been urging me for a long time to play People's Postcode Lottery and I kept forgetting to do it. I can't tell you how glad I am that I finally got round to signing up. You never think it's going to happen to you, I just can't believe it!" 

Stuart and Elizabeth were going straight back to the B&B in Groesfaen after the ceremony.

"We have been so busy getting carpets fitted that we weren't sure we were going to make it to the red carpet event on time. We've got B&B guests coming later tonight so we'll need to get back to the house and get it ready for their arrival."

Stuart, who has two children Carys and Gregg, was originally given a cheque for £820. However, this was ripped up and replaced with a £800,000 cheque when the full winning postcode was revealed.

"I spoke to my children when we received the first cheque for £820 so they have no idea yet that we've won the big prize. We'll make sure everyone has a great Christmas this year!"

Policeman Russell Gardner from Miskin was another lucky winner, scooping £4,518 and a brand new BMW.

"I could do with a new car," said the father of two, who has been playing for 18 months. "I'll be able to plan a nice family holiday with the money, which will be lovely for my wife and kids."

Players of People's Postcode Lottery have raised over £91 Million for good causes to date. Some of those supported charities were at the party, including the Royal Voluntary Service, Missing People, Maggie's, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Book Aid International, Wildlife Trusts Wales and Riding for the Disabled Association.

Sarah Beard, Business Development Director at Maggie's, attended the event and commented, "Having grown up in Llantrisant, it has been wonderful to be involved in such an exciting event.

 "It was great to meet some of the players of People's Postcode Lottery who give such amazing support to Maggie's.  So far, players have awarded an incredible £4.2 Million to Maggie's Centres, helping us to continue to offer our free programme of practical, emotional and social support for people with cancer and their family and friends at our growing number of centres across Wales and the UK."

People's Postcode Lottery ambassador, Judie McCourt, was delighted to dish out cheques to the lucky winners from Pontyclun. "Amazingly, this is the sixth time I've been in Wales for Postcode Millions," she said. "An incredible £12 Million has been won in Wales to date. Players in Pontyclun were a delightful bunch of winners."