A RETIRED security guard has urged people ‘not to give up hope’ after collecting £2,000 from the popular postcode lottery.
Phil Farrelly of Hanover Gardens won silver on June 9.
The 68-year-old said he was delighted to see his postcode – RG21 3JQ – among the winners, meaning each postcode ticket received £1,000.
As Phil had two tickets, his luck was doubled and he received £2,000.
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Phil, a singer in his spare time, said: “I played in pool football for 40 years and all I won was £50.
“I have lived in this area for over 50 years and have been playing the postcode lottery for a few months.
“I even tried last week, saying I didn’t believe anyone had ever won at Basingstoke.
“So I thought I’d share my good news to give some hope to those who don’t believe and to encourage others to buy a ticket.”
Phil, who rides a mobility scooter decorated like a Harley Davidson, said as soon as the money cleared his account he went straight to Currys and upgraded his TV.
He is now looking forward to watching his high-end TV when it arrives on Monday and plans to spend the rest of his windfall on a new sofa so he can watch it more comfortably.
Phil said he had been suffering from various health issues lately including a heart attack and worsened his COPD after putting an apple pie that was still in the foil in his microwave , causing his apartment to be engulfed in smoke.
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However, he said: “I’m not in good health but I feel good things are happening to me now. I’ve heard so many people say they thought the lottery was a scam but that’s not not a scam.
“My message to them is never give up on your dreams, your turn will come. I never thought I would be a winner, yet here I am. It’s awesome. I’m so happy.”
Phil said he was going to start buying five tickets a month now, hoping to hit the jackpot.
The People’s Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery that raises money for charity.
Players sign up with their postcode and pay £10 per month.
There are winning postcodes announced every day for different prizes – starting at £10 and then every Saturday and Sunday winning postcodes are announced where players win £30,000 and each month players from one sector of postcodes share £3 million or more.
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