A DAD who won £160,000 on the People’s Postcode Lottery only entered the draw after a chance meeting.
Paul Rendles, 64, scooped a share of his lucky street’s £1million winnings after meeting a social worker who convinced him to sign up.
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The devoted parent had met the employee a few years ago through his youngest daughter, who has disabilities.
One day, Paul and his wife Elaine, 64, were greeted by the man who excitedly told them he had bagged a whopping £400,000 from two tickets.
Instantly, Paul said “I’m going to get a ticket” and has done ever since.
Ahead of Saturday’s draw, the granddad decided to get two tickets, which has seen his 2024 get off to a very good start.
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To his and Elaine’s surprise, their Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, postcode was called – landing two £83,000 cheques on their laps.
When Postcode Lotto reps knocked on the couple’s door, Paul said: “Oh my God! Wow! Fantastic! I nearly swore there.
“Wonderful. I didn’t expect that. Dreams do come true.”
“Our daughter’s social worker won the Postcode Lottery a few years ago.
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“He was the best social worker in the north east and won £400,000 with two tickets.
“When he told me, I said ‘right, I’m going to get a ticket today’ and I’ve done it ever since. Then I decided to get two tickets.”
The thrilled former foster parents are now planning on helping out their three kids and grandchildren.
They are also planning on taking a trip to the Mediterranean.
Paul added: “This is absolutely brilliant. We’ll be able to help the family out. But there has to be a holiday, too.”
Ex-midwife Elaine said: “My mum, who has now passed away, used to live in Majorca and we would go out on a regular basis. We haven’t been since three or four years before Covid.
“We also haven’t had a holiday on our own for 22 years. It would be great to go to Majorca or somewhere similar.
“We want to have that good time.”
Paul and Elaine adopted their eldest daughter Courtney after returning home with son Craig from a stint working in the US over 20 years ago.
They then went on to foster baby Letitia, who has additional support needs, before officially adopting her.
Elaine said: “We gave up our jobs after we adopted Letitia. This has been our life since then.
“We are obviously very close knit with the fostering community and other disabled groups since then.”
The pair are now hoping to treat the whole family, whether it be splashing out on a new iPhone or helping out with wedding bills.
Paul said: “Our daughter Letitia heard you when you rang up to tell us we’d won.
“I said to her it might not be true, but she said, ‘they’ll be coming, don’t worry dad, they’ll be coming’.
“She told me to text her to tell her how much we’d won. She wants an iPhone 15 Pro. She’s got a 14 Pro, but she wants a 15.”
Elaine added: “Our other daughter is getting married in August and our son next year.
“Both of them have said that they are literally skimping, although the weddings are all booked and paid for.”
Former building trade worker Paul – who fancies treating himself to a private car reg and an Omega watch – added: “They’ve said they’ve been thinking about not having a reception here and there.
“But I think they will now, in fact they definitely will now.”
It comes after an OAP secured £333,000 on the Postcode Lottery but was told she would only take home a third because of an age-old pact.
And in Birmingham, a great gran-of-five bagged £111,111 as part of a £1m win amongst her and eight neighbours.
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And one group of neighbours on a Manchester estate won £3.2million between them.
