A HOSPITAL ward will benefit financially after a brave carer scooped a portion of a £7.9million lottery windfall.

People’s Postcode Lottery players under one Warrington postcode received the amazing news this week that they would be sharing the huge jackpot.

More than four hundred lucky neighbours from Lowton with a WA3 1 postcode have scooped between £14,815 all the way up to £59,260 depending on the number of tickets they hold.

Among the 420 winners are community carer Jan Oakes and her daughter Suzanne McLaughlin, aged 48, who each won in excess of £14,000.

In recent years, 70-year-old Jan has spent months fighting for her life in the intensive care unit at Warrington Hospital.

Leigh Journal: Jan Oakes and Suzanne McLaughlinJan Oakes and Suzanne McLaughlin

She credited the specialist doctors and nurses for saving her life and has vowed to donate a portion of her prize money to the ward. 

Jan said: “The staff were fabulous, and I feel as though I owe a lot to them. The doctors put me in a coma, and when I came around they helped me to learn to walk and talk again.

“My family were told I might only have a few hours left to live, so to be stood here today with my daughter is incredible.”

Other celebrating winners are Laura and Stephen Kings, who were both shocked to learn they had each pocketed £14,815 only a few days after finding out that Laura is pregnant with twins.

Laura commented: “We only found out this week that it was a boy and a girl, and the day after we got that news we received two letters saying we had both won and could come and pick up our cheques, so we are having a good week.

Leigh Journal: Laura and Stephen Kings celebrate their lottery winLaura and Stephen Kings celebrate their lottery win

“We have already got two children and now I have got twins on the way. It is going to be amazing – this is for them.”

Celebrations for another lucky family will take place in warmer climates after married couple Susan and John Bachegalup, along with son Chris, learned of their combined winnings of more than £120,000.

The trio were in disbelief after John won £14,815, Susan bagged £44,445 and Chris took home £59,260 due to playing with four tickets.

They already have holiday plans in place to celebrate each of their five-figure wins, with Susan adding: “All of us are going to Florida on Friday – it is going to be incredible.”

Patricia Peverall landed close to £30k playing with two tickets and was over the moon for the local community.

Leigh Journal: John, Susan and Chris Bachegalup will celebrate in FloridaJohn, Susan and Chris Bachegalup will celebrate in Florida

The 76-year-old said: “I am really, really glad for everyone and I love the fact that Lowton has won for a change. It is quite a poor area and we have deserved some luck.”

Father and daughter Bryn and Brogan Griffiths also won together, picking up cheques for £14,815.

Brogan, who works as a practice nurse and is pregnant with her first child, said: “I was not expecting that amount – it is amazing.

“I am also expecting this year, and this money will go towards getting the house ready for the baby coming.”

Leigh Journal: Brogan Griffiths and Bryn GriffithsBrogan Griffiths and Bryn Griffiths

On the windfall, People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt said: “What an amazing way to start the bank holiday weekend for everyone picking up a cheque.

“Neighbours winning together is what Postcode Lottery is all about, so it has been really special to bring our lucky Lowton winners together and surprise them with lots of lovely cheques.”

People’s Postcode Lottery was created to raise funds for charities in Britain and beyond. Players of the lottery have now raised more than £900million for thousands of good causes.

Local good causes have also benefitted from player support, with Risley-based Creating Adventures receiving a grant of £11,434 to enrich the lives of adults with autism and learning disabilities through the provision of activities in the community.