In an extraordinary stroke of luck, a grandmother has won a staggering £142,857 on the Postcode Lottery, exactly sixty years after she first won her home in a developer competition. Pamela Hiscocks, aged 79, and her husband Anthony, 82, from Melksham in Wiltshire, are celebrating this monumental windfall, which comes from the same property they acquired through a slogan contest back in the 1960s.
A Lifetime of Remarkable Fortune
The couple's three-bedroom bungalow was originally won in a competition run by developers building a new estate, with Pamela's slogan "choose your plot and win the lot" securing them the house valued at £3,175 at the time. This latest Postcode Lottery prize is worth an astonishing 45 times that original purchase price, highlighting a lifetime peppered with fortunate events.
"We've been lucky in the past, but this is just amazing. I can't take it in. That's big money. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd win that amount," Pamela exclaimed, visibly overwhelmed by the news. Anthony added, "It's not real. I'm flabbergasted and gobsmacked," reflecting the sheer disbelief shared by the pair.
Sharing the Wealth with Family and Friends
The Hiscocks were part of a group of seven neighbours in Melksham who shared a £1 million pot after their postcode, SN12 7HB, landed the Postcode Lottery's weekly Millionaire Street prize. Each ticket holder received £142,857, making this win particularly special as it included close friend and neighbour Lesley Rose, 77, who is battling incurable cancer.
Pamela emphasized her commitment to family, stating, "We'll spend the winnings on family. It's family first, always family first. I always want to make sure my family are alright." Her plans include funding a lavish wedding for her granddaughter Amy, 26, who is set to marry in August, and treating the entire family to a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, possibly a cruise.
Anthony noted, "Amy said she wanted a cheque for her wedding. We might be able to put a couple of noughts on it now. We'll see the grandchildren OK. It's nice to win something that's enough to make a difference, rather than just to have a drink with."
A Bittersweet Victory for a Courageous Neighbour
Lesley Rose's win adds a poignant layer to this story. Diagnosed with incurable lung and kidney cancer, Lesley has endured gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Her cancer was discovered incidentally after a fall in her garden where she broke four ribs, leading to scans that revealed the disease.
"It's just unbelievable. I never, in all my dreams, thought I'd win that much money. It's the first bit of luck we've had for a long time," Lesley shared, fighting back tears. She plans to use her winnings for a brand-new kitchen, a holiday, and treating her loved ones, finding solace in this unexpected turn of events amidst her health struggles.
Lesley praised the healthcare workers at the Dyson Cancer Centre in Bath, saying, "The doctors and nurses are amazing... So far, they've given me time and that's all I can really ask for." Her husband Philip, 79, stood proudly by her side, noting, "It's all changing now," as they look forward to brighter days ahead.
Celebrating Milestones with Renewed Joy
This year holds significant milestones for the Hiscocks: Pamela will celebrate her 80th birthday in May, followed by her granddaughter's wedding in August, and their 60th wedding anniversary in October. The windfall promises to make these events even more memorable, with Pamela dreaming of a summer house to enjoy peaceful evenings.
Daughter-in-law Donna, 54, expressed her delight, saying, "She's always spoiling other people, so it's lovely that she's getting this. We're going to be celebrating their anniversary a bit more in style now."
Reflecting on their shared fortune, Pamela said of winning with Lesley, "It's lovely winning with a friend. We're so close and such good friends. It's just nice that we can share it together. I'd feel terrible if I'd won and she hadn't, and she would be the same with me."
This heartwarming tale of luck, resilience, and community spirit underscores how a simple postcode can transform lives, bringing joy and hope to those who need it most.
