A North East grandad has scooped a bumper £200,000 prize on the postcode lottery - on the same day he was supposed to undergo an operation.
Barry Cook from Billingham was meant to be under the knife for a hip replacement surgery until it was cancelled by doctors - meaning he was at home when the Postcode Lottery came knocking.
Barry and wife Dot, both 81, won £200,000 - a share of a £1m pot with four other neighbours on Cornforth Grove on Saturday (July 5) when TS23 3PR came out in the draw.
Barry and wife Dot, both 81, have won £200,000. (Image: POSTCODE LOTTERY) Retired joiner Barry said: “I should have been in hospital today to have a hip replacement, but it’s been cancelled. I’m just waiting for a new date now. It was cancelled a few days ago, but I’d rather be here!
“Bloody Hellfire, I can’t believe that! I’ve never been as emotional in my life. I didn’t expect anything at all like this. It’s just blown me away.
“There’s our girls; we’ll see them alright and take it from there.”
The couple – who will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in October – added they they’ll use the windfall to take care of their two daughters and five grandsons.
However, they did admit that a home renovation, holiday and even a trip to Wimbledon may be on the cards.
Kathleen, a mum of three and gran of five said: “This is a dream. I always say when the advert comes on the television, ‘you’ve never been to my door yet, have you?’ It’s not real, I’m in a daze.
“I got my left eye done yesterday and I told all the nursing staff in the hospital about me getting a call to say I’d won. I’m going back to get the other eye done in September and I’ll give them an update.”
Her husband John, 81, hugged her and added: “If we can win it anybody can. It’s surreal, I can’t get my head round it.”
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May, 88, confessed her £200k win will let her help her son, daughter, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She said: “I’ve got grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I won’t see much of this, but the family will. It’ll be an absolute godsend to a lot of them. They’re all starting out in life and I’m sure it’ll go a long way to sorting them out.
“We’ll go down to The Three Horseshoes and have a couple of bottles of fizz. And we’ll probably have a family holiday. I’ve got everything I need.”
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