A VET nurse who travels the world trekking with wild animals won £125,000 with Postcode Lottery then declared: “Lots of adventures will happen with this cheque.”
Pet-crazy Nicola Almoosa, 51, signed up to play just last September because Postcode Lottery players back animal welfare charities.
Now the mum-of-four, of Nebo, in Ceredigion, Wales, will be heading across the globe again in search of more exotic creatures after her whopping windfall.
She said: “That’s a lot of money…amazing. Lots of adventures will happen with that cheque.
“There are so many countries I would like to visit. I’d like to make sure I visit as many as possible.
“I’ve been to Uganda to do gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. We also saw rhinos there.
“We went to Indonesia to do orangutan trekking and I got chased by a juvenile orangutan.
“Then we went to Madagascar to trek with the lemurs. On another trip we saw tigers in India. I’ve been to lots of places, but there are always more to go to for sure.”
She added: “China will be next…for the pandas. They’re not in the wild, obviously. But I have to see China’s pandas, so that is definitely on the list.
“We’ll maybe go and see the whales in Antarctica. We also saw them in Madagascar and they were right next to the boat. There are no words to describe that moment.”
Nicola, who has a world map in her kitchen pinned with all the places she’s visited, added: “Any adventure we have will be animal based!”
Nicola shared a £1m pot with six other neighbours in Nebo after SY23 5LE landed the lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday 11 April. Every ticket was worth £125,000, but one neighbour doubled their prize by playing with two.
The hamlet is set in acres of lush rolling fields just 10 miles from the coastal town of Aberystwyth on the west coast of Wales.
Nicola, speaking from her converted farmhouse, told how travel is really important to her and the family.
But she was shocked to land a cheque that will become a passport for more holidays – especially after only signing up for Postcode Lottery six months ago.
She said: “I started playing the Postcode Lottery because I like the fact that a lot of the charities supported are animal-based.
“Travelling is really important to my family and me. Travel is adventure and this means it would be a matter of everyone getting the chance to travel.
“I only started in September and never, ever thought I’d win anything. Little things have come my way before and that’s the type of thing people expect to win. You never expect to win something bigger. But it happens!
“I’m happy, excited and needing to go to the pub for a drink.”
Supporting his mum, caravan park boss son Alec, 27 – who was a placard-waving protestor extra in a season three episode of The Crown – said: “I’m over the moon. I’m really pleased for my mother.
“It’s her money, not mine.” And he laughed: “As long as she spends some of it on me travelling, I don’t mind.”
Nicola’s career began when she was just 16 and she now works as a head veterinary nurse.
She has a menagerie of her own with four dogs, five cats and five tortoises. The home zoo is complete with an umbrella cockatoo called Lola, who dances to the Barry Manilow hit Copacabana with the line ‘Her name is Lola, she was a showgirl’.
And she revealed she has a soft spot for rescue animals, in line with the ethos of the charities supported by the lottery.
Postcode Lottery is the largest source of funding for animal welfare charities in the UK, thanks to its millions of players who have raised more than £90m to help animals in need.
She said: “I’ve been in the profession since I was 16. My job’s really worthy and I love it. It’s not only treating animals, but also education for owners to get welfare standards a little bit higher.
“My role is to take animals in, get them better and get them into a new home. I do like to rescue any animal that needs help.”
Kind-hearted Nicola was delighted to win with others in the area, who are all close despite the houses being scattered across the remote area.
She said: “It’s amazing to win with the neighbours. We’re all in the same boat and can celebrate tonight.
“Rural areas tend to get overlooked a little bit with a lot of things. But this is bringing a lot of excitement to the area.”
And she laughed: “I knew the lottery was here when they were four miles away. It’s that kind of area.”
Half a mile away Jill Fenney, 54, was left stunned when her £125,000 cheque was revealed on the anniversary of her older brother’s death – then thanked him for the win.
The retired wine merchant secretary lost Steve nine years ago to the day at the age of just 48.
Jill said: “I like to think that he’s had some part in this. He’s looking down on us, and this is all part of him. In the future, this date will be a nicer thing to remember.”
Jill revealed she had switched her ticket after recently moving from their former home 75 miles away in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
She said: “I used to play the lottery at our old address and then transferred it here when we moved 10 months ago. Thank goodness I did.”
Now she and part-time driving instructor husband Dave, 57, are drawing up their wish list.
Jill said: “I said if it was enough, I might have a new car. I’ve got a Corsa, but I might like a new, more hi-tech one.
“I’d also like to get an aviary for budgies. And it’s our 35th wedding anniversary in a couple of years’ time. A river cruise in France would be lovely.”
She added: “It’s nice to know that some others in the area have got this as well.”
Dave, 57, looking at the big plot their bungalow stands on, had one request. He said: “I can maybe get another, bigger mower now.”
Further along the lane, elderly lovebirds Jackie Sisley, 80 and her partner of more than 40 years John Huxter, 81, were overcome with emotion when her £125,000 cheque was revealed.
The big-hearted couple signed up for Postcode Lottery because they wanted to support dog, Alzheimer’s and cancer charities.
Holding hands with his beloved Jackie, teary retired construction worker John said: “It’s for the charities…to help others. We know that the money we invest with Postcode Lottery goes to other people who need it.”
Jackie immediately said she would be pushing John to get cataracts removed in both eyes, so he can beat a three-year waiting list – and added a few more items to her shopping list.
The mum-of-two and grandmother said: “This means a great deal to us. It was a lovely shock. John can get his eyes done now. He’s on a three-year waiting list for a cataract operation.
“We’ll send our spaniel, Cinders, to the vet to get her teeth cleaned. I’d also like to get solar panels installed at the bungalow, and get the hedges done. I’ll give my girls something, too.”
The former bus driver for people with learning difficulties added: “I’ve never won anything in my entire life, but this has made up for it.”
Then she suddenly remembered something else she’s always wanted: “I wouldn’t mind putting in a small caravan for when everyone comes to stay.”
The neighbours all joined Postcode Lottery to help local, national and international charities. And they were delighted to learn that their win means charities near Nebo have benefitted from surprise funding, thanks to players.
Organisations who have received awards include:
RAY Ceredigion – £50,000
The charity provides activities that support the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and abilities across Ceredigion, focusing on those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.
DASH Ceredigion – £25,000
DASH organises a variety of leisure schemes for children with additional needs, disabled children and young people within the county of Ceredigion.
RAY Men’s Shed Aberaeron – £5,000
The charity helps to combat social isolation and loneliness, regenerate and build sustainable communities as well as improving men’s health and wellbeing.
