TEN WINNERS EACH RECEIVE PRIZE CHEQUES FROM POSTCODE LOTTERY GAME

NEIGHBOURS in Burton are celebrating after winning a share of £1million in the People’s Postcode Lottery.

- By JOSEPH RICHARDS

Ten winners in the town received cheques for £100,000 each after their postcode - DE15 0DX in Winshill - was announced as the winner of the Millionaire Street prize on Saturday.

Friends Karen McElroy, 55, and Jane Elson, 58, were among the winners and made a pact to play the People’s Postcode Lottery 10 years ago. Now they are planning a dream holiday to Barbados.

Karen was diagnosed with womb cancer three years ago and battled back to full health, only to find that the disease had returned last year.

She said: “I've been doing the Postcode Lottery for years with my friend Jane and we always said we're going to win it one day. And here we are today. I’m just completely shocked and can’t believe it.

“We did say Barbados, that was the goal, and we will go to Barbados. This means a lot.

“I was diagnosed with womb cancer in June 2022 and then I had a full hysterectomy, and some radiotherapy, and then everything sort of got back to normal.

“And then last June I found another lump in my groin, so that’s called a recurrence. And I had to have surgery to have that removed and the whole thing that goes with that.

“I’ve just had my last chemotherapy on February 28, that's why I don’t have any eyebrows or eyelashes.”

Karen is awaiting more test results next week following her treatment, but says she’s hopeful for the future.

She added: “Things have got a lot better recently, but it’s always at the back of your mind, and it’s been a bit of a tough journey through the treatment and everything.

“So, getting this today ahead of my results next week is just massive.”

Karen wanted to use some of her good fortune to make a donation to Queen’s Hospital Burton and thank the doctors, nurses, and staff that cared for her. She also spoke of her delight that close chum Jane won alongside her.