A lady holds the firm belief that her departed spouse gazes upon her from above, wearing a smile of approval, as she triumphantly secures not one, but two victories in the People’s Postcode Lottery. The serendipitous tickets were obtained by none other than her late husband shortly before his untimely passing. Lesley and Garry McNally, residing in Salford, Greater Manchester, made the heartfelt decision to downsize their abode once their children embarked on their independent journeys. However, merely eight months after this transition, tragedy struck as Garry succumbed to a heart attack, a mere five days after commemorating his 60th birthday.
The bereaved family was left shattered by their irreplaceable loss. Yet, amidst the profound sorrow, Garry, the devoted spouse and father, had bequeathed them an enduring legacy by enrolling in the People’s Postcode Lottery. Since that fateful decision, fortune has smiled upon them not once, but twice, courtesy of this lottery’s generous offerings.
Following her husband’s demise, Lesley, aged 54, made the decision to persist in participating in the Postcode Lottery. To her astonishment, she discovered that Garry’s lottery tickets had secured a £2,000 windfall for their family. However, the twist of fate didn’t conclude there. Several months later, the same ticket yielded a staggering £166,666 prize. Overwhelmed with joy, the mother-of-three received the remarkable news that their postcode had secured them a share of a million-pound sum as part of the inaugural Millionaire Street prize in Swinton, courtesy of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
“While I’m elated by my victory, and the fact that our family has triumphed,” Lesley expressed, “it’s accompanied by a tinge of sadness, as we had been playing together for a considerable time and Garry isn’t here to witness it.” Lesley, employed as a car dealership administrator, first encountered Garry when she was a mere 16 years old, and their marital union spanned 37 years until his untimely passing due to a heart attack, as reported by the Manchester Evening News. Their three sons, Alan, Matthew, and Steven, are now assisting Lesley in coordinating the necessary renovations to actualize the bungalow that Garry had initially envisioned.
“We played the Postcode Lottery in our previous home and continued after moving here, as we downsized from a larger house,” Lesley shared. “This was meant to be our forever home. However, merely eight months later, Gaz suffered a sudden heart attack, a mere five days after celebrating his 60th birthday. If he were still here, he would have commenced the construction. After we settled in, he swiftly removed the roof within a day. Now, I shall cherish and embrace this opportunity, fulfilling the dreams we had envisioned together.”
Lesley expressed her delight, stating, “It’s truly heartwarming to know that others on our street have also won. Given the struggles many people face at the moment, I didn’t want to boast about my win while others were grappling with difficulties. However, since others are sharing in this fortunate outcome, I don’t feel as guilty.”
Among the fortunate residents of Swinton, Lesley was one of the nine individuals bearing the postcode who collectively shared a remarkable £1 million in the Millionaire Street prize. Each winning ticket was valued at £83,333. Lesley herself held two winning tickets, while her next-door neighbor, Chris Leonard, secured the largest prize of £249,999 with his three tickets.
The winners were honored with a visit from People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Matt Johnson, who personally presented them with their well-deserved prizes. Reflecting on the experience, Johnson remarked, “It was an extraordinary day in Swinton as we unveiled our magnificent £1 million weekly prize. I thoroughly enjoyed surprising the winners and hearing about their plans to treat themselves and their loved ones.”
Typically, People’s Postcode Lottery tickets are conveniently purchased online, often through subscription. Alternatively, tickets can be acquired by calling 0808 109 8765, where individuals are guided through the signup process. It’s important to note that tickets are not available for individual draws; the minimum subscription period is one month, priced at £12, and each payment automatically enters the ticket into all draws for the forthcoming month.
Overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, Lesley exclaimed, “I feel overwhelmed, almost sick… I’m at a loss for words. This is a solution to so many things. Garry’s passing was sudden, and we didn’t have a plan. This win becomes the plan. My mind is racing with a whirlwind of emotions. It’s truly unbelievable and will transform our family’s lives. We will share it all. It will provide assistance to me and the boys.”
Astoundingly, this is not the first time the family has experienced a stroke of luck following Garry’s untimely departure. Alan, Garry’s son, believes that his father is watching over them from above. “I’m not particularly spiritual,” he admitted, “but when we were paying for Dad’s headstone, Mum won the £2,000 prize—and now this.” Steven, another brother, chimed in, saying, “This is incredible, an enormous blessing for our mum. It has been a challenging journey.”
Lesley received news of her win while on her way to work, as she spotted the Postcode Lottery team on her street. Recounting the moment, she shared, “Initially, I thought they were members of the Labour Party canvassing for votes due to their red clothing. I had to phone my boss and explain that I would be late because I had just discovered the incredible news.”