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A real estate agent based in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, has won a huge amount of money in the Postcode Lottery, thanks to his father.
Industry executive Debbie Toohey, 58, won the “life-changing” sum after her father Terry’s postcode was selected as the winner and she shared the prize with three other neighbours on Saturday.
“Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it! I’m going to Graceland for my 60th birthday!” said Toohey, who works for David Baker & Company.
“You don’t win anything. It’s unbelievable. It’s life-changing.”
Ms Toohey lives in a different place to her husband Keith but continued to gamble using her father Terry’s postcode and was able to double her winnings using two tickets worth £320,000 each.
The property agent won £640,000 and wants to use the money to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to America and visit the home of musician Elvis Presley.
Debbie’s husband Keith, 66, said: “Debbie played in this postcode for many years and continued to play after we moved. I then started playing from our home in Penarth Heights, hoping that one day I would win.”
The real estate agent found out she had won the money, and her husband called and said she’d better come home right away.
“I think our lives have changed forever. The whole day has been a dream. This doesn’t happen to us. I can’t write this,” said Tuhey.
She added: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the first cheque, but the second one blew me away. I’m speechless. I’m still in shock.”
Keith said: “Seeing her joy was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I still replay it in my head.”
They added: “She could do almost anything with the money, but she would like to go to Graceland for her 60th birthday next year, all in business class.”
A People’s Postcode Lottery spokesman said: “People’s Postcode Lottery players have raised more than £1.3 billion for thousands of charities and local charities.”
The lottery administrator added: “Prizes include ‘Millionaire Street’ – a £1 million prize won every Saturday – a £30,000 prize on Sunday and millions of pounds worth of prizes every month.”
“The award was promoted on behalf of the Postcode Support Trust.”