RESIDENTS at the “UK’s luckiest town” won nearly £4million in total and saw their lives changed forever.
Ecstatic locals of Rhymney, South Wales, scooped the jackpot with 435 people sharing the win.
The People’s Postcode Lottery saw a number of winners in Rhymney, Wales
Gareth and Ted struck gold in the Lotto
Mary Lewis with husband Simon said the money created a nice buzz
With a whopping £3.7million dished out in total, residents have seen their lives transformed after striking gold.
It’s seen Channel 4 visit the small town to find out how the win has helped locals deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
Nine lucky neighbours shared the biggest portion of the People’s Postcode Lottery prize – landing £185,000 each.
The popular Lotto costs £10 a month to play and has guaranteed winners every day.
Punters play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
One, retired steelworker Edward “Ted” Owen, had played with two tickets and waltzed off with £370,000.
And the lucky punter has now made plans to buy a Jaguar and go on a cruise.
But the win was bittersweet for Ted after his wife died, robbing him of the chance to enjoy the fortune.
He said: “I wish my wife could have enjoyed it as well.
“She had cancer, she got over it and then it came back. She would have definitely bought a cruise.”
Former coal merchant David Price, nicknamed Lionhead, was another of the £185,000 winners.
But he sadly died three months later from heart failure at the age of 65 after battling sepsis and long Covid.
His emotional niece Emma Taylor, 24, spoke of the moment they were told he had won.
She said: “It was like a Hollywood film. We both started crying when we saw the cheque. It was so exciting.
“So many people are struggling and to see his face light up was magical.
“I feel sad he never got to enjoy the win but before he passed away, he bought himself a quad bike.
“He also gave everyone in the family a share of the winnings. Nothing made him happier than giving people money and seeing their smile.”
Emma added that the joyous residents organised a street party to celebrate the win.
She added: “Everyone was so happy and excited. So many are struggling and things are going wrong.
“Suddenly Rhymney won the lottery and that has been crazy. It’s been nice to see so many people having big smiles on their faces.”
Mary Lewis, 54, and husband Simon won £8,000, which allowed them to go on their first UK holiday in 14 years after buying a touring caravan.
Mary has been unable to do her job as a cleaner due to long Covid, while Simon works 70 hours a week as a lorry driver.
The mum-of-seven said every spare penny from their wages is taken up by food and energy bills.
She added: “I felt like a kid in the candy shop. We went to Devon and five of our children and two of our six grandchildren came with us. It was really special.”
BIG MONEY
Although there were residents who didn’t take part in the lottery, Mary said there was no jealousy among those in Rhymney who didn’t strike it lucky.
The mum said: “Everyone was pleased for each other. The ones that won big deserved it.
“It’s helping them out at the height of the energy bills crisis.
“Winning this amount of money across the community has created such a nice buzz. People still can’t stop talking about it.
“It’s great Channel four is making this documentary about us.”
One resident called Betty, 90, won £3,894. She said: “It will be a big help. I was really pleased, with the heating going up. A lot aren’t working who have won it.”
Janet and Ray Jenkins also scooped a £185,000 and said they will spend some of the money for a wheelchair for Ray so he can be more independent after suffering a stroke.
Participants of the People’s Postcode Lotto can play in daily, biweekly, and monthly draws, with jackpots of £1,000, £30,000, and £7.9 million.
The daily draw awards the money to one winner in a whopping 20 postcodes.
While the Saturday and Sunday draws provide the award to a player in one postcode.
The popular Lotto sees a minimum of 33% from each ticket go to charity.
Residents were jubilant after the Lotto result
The small town in the Valley was visited by Channel 4
