A taxi driver, an ex-paratrooper and a gas engineer are among five neighbours in Rumney celebrating winning a £175,000 People’s Postcode Lottery win.
The lottery winners on Harris Avenue each landed £30,000 and a £5,000 holiday prize when their postcode, CF3 1QE, was announced as a winner on Friday 17 February.
The residents winning £30,000 and £5,000 cheques include:
- Nick Came – A 51-year-old taxi driver is going to treat his wife to a holiday after recently suffering a devastating family loss.
- Michael Tofts – A 56-year-old ex-paratrooper is now planning on taking his wife on her dream holiday to Hawaii.
- Paul O’Brien – A 62-year-old gas engineer described the win as ‘out of this World’ and is set to visit Greece for a big family holiday.
Nick Came (51) couldn’t believe his eyes after scooping £35,000 in prizes.
Nick, a local taxi driver, said: “It’s like a dream, you never think it’s going to happen but today it has.
“It’s bittersweet because Julie lost her mum three weeks ago – it’s been a really tough time.”
Julie, who lost her mum to breast cancer, pointed to the sky, and said: “My mum always said she would look after us.”
Nick added: “Julie deserves it more than anybody, because she’s been looking after her mum and looking after dad, our six dogs and our kids as well. She’s been an angel.”
The dad-of-three said the cash windfall will relieve a lot of pressure, Nick said: “I can feel the stress and pressure draining out of my toes now. I feel lighter.
“Work is quiet at the moment, and you’ve got to earn your money to pay the bills. I work 7 days a week and it can be mentally and physically draining.”
Nick and Julie are now planning a relaxing getaway in the sun. Nick said: “To just get away for a bit of sunshine, a few cocktails and a bit of sun to just relax is really needed.
“We can go on a holiday soon and another one later in the year. I can get some sunshine on my toes, I’ll get my flip flops looked out. We’ll be looking for dog sitters now.”
Ex-paratrooper Michael Tofts is planning a long-awaited holiday with his wife after recovering from a nasty leg injury.
Michael said: “We’ll probably head off to Hawaii, my beloved and I. It’s her dream holiday and I think she deserves it because she’s looked after me for the last couple of years while I’ve been a bit of a handful and ill.
Michael, who served in the paratroop regiment for over 20 years, said: “I’ve been out of work due to my injury.
“I shattered my foot and in the last five years my ankle has been rebuilt with metalwork. I’ve had seven operations and my surgeon told me the other day that I can now go back to work.
“Life throws you different curveballs and this is the first thing I’ve ever won really, it’s brilliant.”
Gas engineer Paul O’Brien described winning £35,000 in prizes as ‘out of this world’.
The dad-of-two said: “It’s something a person like me doesn’t expect to win. It’ll make a massive difference.”
“I’m not a spring chicken anymore, I’m getting to the stage where I’m trying to finish work so this might knock a year off my retirement.
“We weren’t going to go away this year with the way the economy is and the cost of living but we’re definitely going to Greece, they’ll be ten of us going away. I’d rather spend the money on the family than spend it on myself.
The Wales rugby fan also said: “I did think about going across to the Rugby World Cup in France but didn’t think I’d have the money.”
The other winners chose to remain anonymous.
Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson said: “A big congratulations to our five lucky winners in Rumney! I hope they all enjoy celebrating tonight and have lots of fun jetting off on all those amazing holidays.”
People’s Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
Everyday throughout the February draws one postcode will be announced as a £30,000 prize winner. All the players in the postcode will win £30,000 and an additional £5,000 for a holiday for every ticket they hold.
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than a billion pounds for thousands of charities and local good causes.
This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Planet Trust, which supports charities including Marine Conservation Society, The Wildlife Trusts and WWF.
