A great-grandmother who won over £60,000 in the People’s Postcode Lottery made an error when checking the winning email which left her “in tears”.
Shirley Hehir, 83, won the eye-watering sum alongside her neighbours in Folkestone, Kent last week.
However, when Hehir first heard that she won, she believed she had instead won £1,000 - a sum she was extremely happy with.
When she realised her mistake and discovered the true amount of money she was going to be receiving - £66,666 - she was almost brought to tears.
A great-grandmother who won over £60,000 in the People’s Postcode Lottery made an error when checking the winning email People's Postcode Lottery“Oh Lord almighty - never in my life have I seen a cheque that big. It's wonderful,” she beamed.
“It feels amazing. I think I'm going to cry. £1,000 I thought. I did, I did.”
The 83-year-old is already planning on how to spend her winnings.
She said “I might have a new car. I'd like to go up to something just a bit bigger. And I'll give all my grandchildren something.
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“I'm nearly 84, I think I should treat myself. And I'll maybe have a party for my daughter. She's 60 this year.”
The great-grandmother has endured her fair share of tragedies throughout her lifetime. In 2003, she lost her husband Jim to Leukaemia and just three months later - her son Leslie died whilst fighting in the Iraq War.
However, Hehir chooses to try and focus on the positives in her life. She said: “It is hard to bear, and it never goes away, but then I also think how lucky I am. My daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren keep me going.”
Her neighbour Malcolm Blanche was also one of the lucky winners in last week’s draw - however, he won four times as much.
Hehir, Blanche and their neighbours celebrating their wins
People's Postcode Lottery
The Army veteran won a staggering £266,664 by playing the same numbers that he and his wife selected years ago.
Carolyn, the 72-year-old’s wife, tragically passed away in 2019, and Blanche decided to carry on playing them in her honour.
He said: “I just decided to keep them on. She’d be over the moon and shaking right now.
“When I saw the first cheque, I thought ‘That’ll do’, then it came again, again and again.
“I’m chuffed when I get a tenner.”
