Neighbours win £1 million in Postcode Lottery

Residents in Savernake Avenue have won a share of £1 million in the Postcode Lottery, with the prize divided between seven households on the street.

Pam Hiscocks, 79, and her husband Anthony, 82, were among the winners, with each household receiving £142,857 in the lottery’s Millionaire Street prize on Saturday 18th April.

The couple said they were ‘gobsmacked’ to win the funds at the house they have owned for more than 60 years, having first won it in a competition over six decades ago. They said they now plan to share the money with family, including their granddaughter Amy, who is due to get married.

“We’ve been lucky in the past, but this is just amazing. I can’t take it in. That’s big money. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d win that money. It’s so exciting,” said Pam.

Neighbours Lesley Rose and her husband Philip also shared in the win.

Pam said she was ‘overjoyed’ that Lesley, who has terminal lung and kidney cancer, had also received a share of the prize.

“It’s just unbelievable after everything she’s been through,” she said.

“It’s lovely winning with a friend. We’re so close and such good friends. It’s just nice that we can share it together.

“I’d feel terrible if I’d won and she hadn’t and she would be the same with me. They’re just lovely people.”

Lesley, 77, fought back tears being presented with her six-figure cheque alongside her husband Philip, 79. After undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she said the win felt like a turning point.

“It’s just unbelievable. I never, in all my dreams, thought I’d win that much money.

“It’s the first bit of luck we’ve had for a long time. I still have cancer. Doctors told me they can’t cure me, but they can give me time,” she said.

Another resident, Gary Walker, 57, also won. He started playing the Postcode Lottery after his sister-in-law and nephew in Melksham won £30,000 each on Postcode Lottery more than eight years ago.

“It’s fantastic to win with neighbours. Now we’ve done it and won. It’s a dream come true,” he said.

“I’ve pretty much known Pam all my life. She was the dinner lady at my school. We get on well with everyone around here. It’s absolutely brilliant for us and them.”

The win also means local charities will benefit from surprise funding, including AgeUK Wiltshire (£60,000), 4Youth (South West) (£40,000) and Melksham Scout Group (£5,000).

The Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery where players’ postcodes act as tickets, with prizes shared among neighbours in winning areas.