Big Thrills For Bristol

A PENSIONER is planning to get his first passport thanks to an incredible £800,000 win and has said, "The sky's the limit".

Stunned Tony, from Bristol, who hasn't "ever won anything" described his win as "mind-blowing".

Now the retired bus mechanic, who's only ever been on holiday to Weymouth, will realise a lifelong dream and travel abroad.

Tony said, "First of all I'm going to get my passport.

"It'll be my first time travelling so I want to see how it is and take it easy. If I go to Spain or France and see the different cultures for two weeks, I'll be happy.

"I might want to go by boat and cruise over, so I can get my head around everything."

After a decade of health issues, Tony is grateful to be in a position where he can enjoy his win.

He said, "I had a heart attack ten years ago and I've got five stents in my heart. I'm lucky to be alive. It's been a lot of trouble - this is just what I need.

"I haven't been used to a lot of money. I've been used to getting my wages and that's just for living on.

"But this, it's just life-changing.

"I don't know whether to cry, scream or jump up and down. I don't know what to do. I've never had this much money in my bank."

Tony landed the windfall when his postcode - BS3 5BA - was announced as the winner of our £3.2 Million Postcode Millions prize today.

Every ticket in the postcode was worth £400,000, but Tony doubled his prize by playing with two. Also playing in the winning postcode were neighbours Celestina and Karen.

A further 480 people playing with the winning postcode sector of BS3 5 received cheques ranging from £2,973 to £11,892, depending on how many tickets they played with.

Along the road, Celestina bagged £400,000.

She said she'll use the money to take care of her family, including the nephew of her late sister, by buying a new home and taking them on a dream holiday to the Maldives.

Kind-hearted Celestina is planning to move to a house with a "massive garden" alongside her younger sister Catherine and their nephew Jack.

When Celestina's sister Lorna, Jack's mum, died two years ago following an infection from a heart operation, Celestina and Catherine stepped in to look after Jack.

Former rehab worker Celestina, who retired in 2018, said, "It's been a tough couple of years."

It was a bittersweet moment for Catherine who added, "We were The Three Musketeers, then Jack came along and we were The Four Musketeers. She would have enjoyed all this."

A well-deserved holiday is now on the cards for the trio, with the trip of a lifetime on the horizon.

Asked where they'd go, Jack, who is a medical coordinator at Bristol Air Ambulance, said, "The Maldives, but it'd be nice to go business class!"

Local council worker Catherine added, "It'd be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to turn left on the plane!

"I don't think money buys happiness, but it brings choices and to think 'I can do this now', it's lovely to be able to have that."

Mum-of-four Karen said her £400,000 win means she can now buy her dream home in Devon.

It's been her dream for over ten years to buy a house in the picturesque coastal towns of either Paignton or Brixham in the county, but she only recently managed to convince hubby Robert.

Civil servant Karen said, "I've been manifesting this - every time we go on holiday I keep saying, 'When we get our house in Devon, when we win the lottery, we'll get this.'

"It'll be a holiday home to start with but when we retire, we'll move permanently. It's just so much slower, and quieter, and warmer."

But first, Karen plans to celebrate her good fortune closer to home. She said, "We've got a bottle of Moët in the fridge.

"So, it's Champagne first and then we can start planning the next phase of our lives.

"It's a total life-changing event but it won't change me, I'll still be me."

Local good causes close to the winners in Bristol have benefitted from money raised by Postcode Lottery players.

Soundwell Music Therapy Trust is one charity nearby that players have helped to support. Last year it received £20,000 to provide free music therapy to support the mental health and wellbeing of people who are low, anxious, or have more complex mental health needs.

People's Postcode Lottery Presenter Danyl Johnson said, "I couldn't be more pleased for all our lucky players who've bagged themselves a prize in Bristol!

"What a great way to kick start the summer - no doubt there will be plenty of celebrations taking place. Congratulations Bristol!"

Charities Win Too

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Children Trust. 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 People's Postcode Lottery, 33% of the ticket price goes to amazing charities and good causes around the world. Our players have raised more than £1.3 Billion so far.

Not signed up to play yet? Our players can win fantastic Prizes every single day. If you'd like to know more then check out How It Works and sign up today.