Gold For Gateshead

A community in Gateshead enjoyed a 'Super Saturday' this weekend after sharing £3 Million in our latest Postcode Millions draw. Over 250 players were presented with their winnings at a party held at Saltwell Park in Gateshead.

Three lucky winners discovered that they played with the full winning postcode, NE8 4RP, and walked away with the lion's share of the prize pot. The event saw 254 residents win prizes ranging from £1,017 up to £397,658.

Michael Brown, 56, who plays with two tickets, collected a life-changing cheque for £397,658. Michael, who produces radiators at local firm Mysons, said, "It's hard to explain how I'm feeling right now, this is just absolutely unbelievable.

"I'm looking forward to going into work on Monday morning and telling my colleagues about the win. I've just been fishing in Torquay for a week but I'll definitely have to think about booking a holiday away somewhere else now that I've won," continued Michael.

Michael already had big plans for his Saturday evening as he was off to celebrate his sister Joyce's 62nd birthday. "I've got a family party tonight for my sister's birthday. I've got four sisters and two brothers so there will be a big group of us all partying this evening. I'll probably have to pick up the tab tonight now that I’ve won all this money," joked Michael.

Janice Smith, 57, an assistant medical secretary at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Gateshead was just as thrilled with her £198,829 win saying, "It sounds like such a cliché, but things like this don't happen to people like me."

Janice plans to treat her granddaughters Erin, 10, Sophie and Hannah, both 8. She said "I am absolutely stunned. I expected to win £500 so to win this is phenomenal. Top of the list is Disneyland next summer. Someone wrote my car off three weeks ago so I can now go and get a brand new car too. I live in the same street as where the event is and can see the marquee from my garden. This has really been the best Saturday ever.”

A third lucky player, who played with two tickets in the full winning postcode, scooped £397,658 but was unable to attend the event. Their winnings will be paid direct into their bank account.

Other winners on the day included delighted Claire Thoburn, who won £3,055, and was joined on stage by her friends Ashley Martin (who won £5,093), Amanda Ramshaw (a £6,111 winner), and Gavin Wilson (who picked up £7,130). This group planned to celebrate their win with a big "night on the Toon."

People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt was delighted to hand out cheques to the lucky Gateshead winners. Judie said, "I've had a lovely day here in Gateshead. The best part of my job is seeing everyone's reactions when I pull out the cheque and there have been plenty of great reactions here today! Massive congratulations to all the winners, I hope they all enjoy spending their winnings."

It's not just players who win by playing People's Postcode Lottery - over £135 Million has been awarded to charities and good causes. The winners' celebration saw a number of supported charities in attendance including Children North East, Depaul UK, Riding for the Disabled Association and Girlguiding.

For more photos from the Postcode Millions party, check out our Gateshead Millions Facebook album.

This weekend, players across the country also won a range of amazing prizes. A Saturday Street Prize landed in Ashington and a second £25,000 Street Prize surprised lucky winners in Appleton. We also had Dream Holiday winners in Shanklin and players in Woking picked up a brand new BMW and £5,000 cheques.