A YEAR of tragedy has ended with a slice of luck for a family.

Fiona Patterson lost six members of her family, four in a horrific car crash, then suffered another blow when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

But the 34-year-old has won £12,500 on the People's Postcode Lottery, her share of the £25,000 postcode street prize.

Miss Patterson, an administrative assistant, is now planning a trip to New York with her sister, Helen, 30.

In March, Miss Patterson's cousin, Paula Gilbert, 29, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, died when a van ploughed into the car she was in, killing her and fiance Neil Jex, 37, and their two sons - Tristan, three, and Kaiden, seven months.

The family had been on the A1 near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, on their way to plan a double wedding with Neil's brother, Paul and his girlfriend, when the accident happened.

Paula's son, nine-year-old Macauley, was the only survivor.

He now lives with Paula's parents.

Last month, van driver Scott Easton was jailed for seven years for causing death by dangerous driving.

This year also saw the deaths of Miss Patterson's grandmother, Mary Gilbert, 88, and her aunt, Valerie Gilbert, 67, all within a few weeks of the crash.

Miss Patterson said: "We've had a bad year, so this is a really nice ending to it.

"Things are not as bad as they could be. I have a mild form of MS and there are a lot of people worse off than me."

Miss Patterson lives with her parents, Norma, 62, and Sandy, 63, in Whinside, Stanley, County Durham.

Her mother collected the cheque from People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt.

Mrs Patterson said: "We are a close family and going through everything this year just made us stronger. But this win is a nice way to end the year. It is lovely."

Also in Whinside Close, neighbour Kevin Trewick, 29, won £12,500.

He said: "I've never won anything before. I'm ecstatic - it's brilliant."