A NEWLY-WED couple hit the jackpot with a £100,000 lottery win, but a shock mistake made them think it was all a joke.
Deborah Norris and her husband, Paul Gilroy, from Gateshead, celebrated a massive windfall in the Postcode Lottery’s Millionaire Street draw – but were left in disbelief after a heart-stopping twist.
The couple’s jaw-dropping win started with what they thought was a single cheque for £83,333 each.
It had been a wild ride for Deborah, 57, and Paul, 53 – the pair, both NHS workers, initially won over £3,000 in the Postcode Lottery’s Postcode Millions prize just two months after signing up back in 2016.
The couple almost gave up on their lucky streak and Deborah even considered cancelling their tickets, thinking their luck had run its course.
But Paul had other ideas and stuck with it – a decision that’s paid off big time.
But in a twist that could only be described as the best kind of mistake, they were shocked to discover they had actually quadrupled their winnings.
Thanks to playing with two tickets each, Deborah and Paul doubled their haul to a life-changing £333,332.
When the lottery team handed over the second set of cheques Paul said: “You’re having a laugh.
“I thought the first cheque was the total for both tickets. I nearly fell over when I realised it was just the beginning. I need a chair. Thank you very, very, very, very much. It is absolutely fantastic.”
The couple’s fortune didn’t stop there.
Just weeks before their big win, Deborah and Paul were basking in the sun on their honeymoon in Gran Canaria when they found out they’d both scooped £2,000 each in the Daily Prize draw.
Deborah said: “We could have said enough’s enough after that first win eight years ago.
“Then we won £2,000 each in June. Even with those wins, it’s been worthwhile. But we never, ever dreamed we’d end up with as much as this.”
The couple shared the £1 million prize with eight neighbours after their postcode, NE9 6PZ, landed the weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday, August 17.
Now, the pair is planning to put their winnings to good use, starting with a new home to accommodate their growing family.
They currently live in a two-bedroom house but with four children and five grandchildren – and more on the way – they’re on the lookout for something bigger.
Deborah said: “We’ve got a two-bedroom home and five grandchildren.
“We need another room, and this will go towards that. It means so much for us, we can help the four children and five grandchildren. That’s what gives us happiness.”
It seems wife Deborah has some-what of a knack for lucky numbers.
Their search for a new house comes with one special request – it must have a number 12 on the door.
Deborah said: “We married on June 12, had an evening wedding party on July 12, and found out we’d won the lottery on August 12.
“When we go for a new house, we’ll have to try for a number 12.”
Next on their cash-splashing list the pair is jetting back to Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria – their favourite holiday spot – for the third time this year.
They’ve also got a trip to Disneyland Paris with the whole family lined up in November.
Paul added: “We’re happy going on holidays to Gran Canaria. Puerto Rico is our favourite place.
“We’re quite easy-going and like what we like.”
As for a new car, Paul’s torn between fixing the exhaust on their current ride or splashing out on a Kia Sportage hybrid – with their luck, either choice is bound to be a winner.
Meanwhile, Paul and Deborah aren’t the only lotto players with an unbelievable lucky streak.
An ex-cop and army veteran was shocked after winning the lottery three times – especially since he claimed he forgot to pay.
To enter, you’ll need to subscribe to People’s Postcode Lottery for £12 per month.
You’ll then be automatically entered into all draws with your chosen postcode.
If your postcode is drawn and you hold the right ticket, you win.
A third of winnings automatically goes to charity, with the organisation saying it has led to £1.3bn raised so far.
