An Arbroath dad admits he deleted the email that told him he’d scooped a share of £180,000 after dismissing it as a hoax.
Jamie Cooper, 33, is one of six people celebrating after their postcode was announced as a winner with People’s Postcode Lottery.
Textile worker Jamie got the surprise of his life when he received a knock on his door from officials at the organisation who told him they had all won £30,000 each.
He said: “I ignored an email I got from Postcode Lottery telling me I’d won because I thought it wasn’t real.
Jamie thought the email was a hoax
“When I got the chap at my door I started shaking and my mouth went completely dry.
“It’s been the best surprise ever.
“This changes everything for me and my family.
“I want a new kitchen, to do up the house a bit and go on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, maybe two once-in-a-lifetime holidays.
“I’ve wanted to go to Disneyworld in Florida since I was 10 years old and it’d be pretty incredible to take my nine-year-old son and my partner Leanne.
“I could not be happier right now. I don’t have words to describe how I’m feeling.
“It’s brilliant news for the street.”
Residents scooped share of £180,000
IT teacher Christine Glass also scooped a share of the six-figure sum.
The 45-year-old punched the air as she pulled her cheque out its golden envelope.
Mum-of-two Christine is set to marry fiancé Rob in July and plans to put the winnings towards the cost of the wedding.
“As soon as end of term happens, we’re flying to Chicago, grabbing some Harley Davidsons and doing Route 66 past Vegas,” said Christine.
Wedding plans
“We thought while we’re there we might as well get married by Elvis.
“This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
“It’s all a bit crazy but I’m dead happy.”
Moira Thom, 73, was joined by Hugh, her husband of 55 years, when her £30,000 prize was revealed.
Seeing her cheque, grandmother-of-three Moira said: “My knees are going. I can’t keep this smile from my face. What a day.
“It’s a big, big surprise. I never expected to win that amount of money, ever.”
Moira, a retired legal secretary who has lived in the winning street for 50 years, says she already has plans on how she’ll spend the windfall.
Holiday of a lifetime
“We might go to Australia to see our son and granddaughters,” she said.
“We haven’t seen them for three years because of Covid.
“Our daughter and grandson, who stay nearby, will come in for a treat or two as well.
“It’ll be fun spending it and treating people.”
Also a winner was 56-year-old chef Graeme Carnegie.
Graeme was joined by his partner Jenna, mum Iona and brother Mark when he got the good news and plans to take them on holiday.
He said: “We’ll probably go somewhere like Mexico or Thailand. It’s unbelievable.”
The other two winners chose to remain anonymous but their prize will be paid to their bank account.
Commenting on the Arbroath residents’ win, Postcode Lottery ambassador Jeff Brazier said: “I’ve had a lot of fun in Arbroath, knocking doors, ringing bells and surprising our winners with lovely big cheques.
“It was a pleasure to meet Jamie, Christine, Moira and Graeme and it sounds like they’re all going to have a lot of fun with their winnings!”
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped raise more than £900 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.
People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
