A North Tyneside Councillor is bursting with happiness after winning a whopping £285,000 on the lottery.
Stunned North Tyneside councillor Anthony McMullen, 33, raised a glass when he was handed the People’s Postcode Lottery prize – and is now planning a swanky holiday with his badminton coach partner Sarah Burtenshaw, 30.
Anthony was one of six neighbours in a neat little cul-de-sac in Seaton Burn, near Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, to share £1 million in the weekly Millionaire Street draw.
Cllr and software engineer Anthony said: “Wowsers! I don’t have words. I was only expecting £10 or probably £20. I wasn’t expecting such a large number.”
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Every ticket in the postcode, NE13 6DU, bagged £142,857 – but Anthony doubled his to £285,714 by playing two briefs.
The Labour councillor said: “We’ll definitely go on holiday and treat ourselves more than just scrimping and saving.
“But the first thing I want to do is get the garden done.”
He added: “When I got a new house I wanted to get a Postcode Lottery ticket for this address.
“I like the Postcode Lottery because every day the money is going to various charities, right across the whole country as well as the local area.
“It’s a really good win-win situation for the players – and the charities get what they need with prices rising all over the place.”
Anthony has also headed up the Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival organiser for five years, showcasing ales and ciders from the local area and further afield.
Across the road, Mark Robson thought the Postcode Lottery’s call to him was a scam – so he blocked the number.
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The car mechanic only believed it was true when wife Kay ordered him to come back from his work to get his prize.
Dad-of-one Mark, 47, and car finance worker missus Kay, 42, broke down when they pulled a cheque for £142,857 from the golden envelope.
Now Mark’s planning a family holiday and splashing out on his dream Ford Puma ST.
He said: “I got a phone call saying that I’d won a prize. But I blocked the number. I didn’t believe it.
“I just went to work this morning, but my wife called me to get back home.
“I still think I’m dreaming, that it’s not real.”
Retired educator Trevor Turnbull and his partner Lee Johnson, 79 – who have 16 children and grandchildren between them – are planning a memory lane trip to their first hols destination.
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Trevor, 71 said: “Our first holiday together was to Bali 30 years ago. Maybe this is a chance to go back.”
Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson said: “The Seaton Burn winners were such a lovely little community, so happy for each other.
“The feelgood factor extends beyond them to the local charities and charities across the country who benefit from the players. Every time players buy a ticket, charities win.”