I'm going through treatment for cancer but have just had some truly special news

A mum from Altrincham who is undergoing cancer treatment is celebrating after winning on the People’s Postcode Lottery. Victoria Kelsey is one of hundreds of winners living in the WA15 9 postcode area announced at an event at The Bowdon Rooms in Altrincham.

Victoria was one of 223 winners, and the wealth management firm employee picked up a cheque for £9,211. The mum-of-two was diagnosed with cancer last October and has had 13 treatments in a 16-round course of chemotherapy before having to undergo surgery. 

Despite this, Victoria was keen to attend the event on Saturday. It was also the place where she had her wedding reception 14 years ago. Victoria was delighted following the news, saying “This is fantastic, lovely…something good for a change.”

Being back at The Bowdon Rooms, she said: “It feels good being back here and seeing it again. We got married in the church just round the corner. This will go to the holiday fund. We’re going to Portugal. After all the chemo, I needed a break.”  

Husband Michael, who works in commercial property finance, added: “We’re happy to be here. Anything is just a massive Brucie bonus.” 

Fellow winner primary school teacher Jon Hammond, 42, bagged the prize just three months after signing up. He was joined by retired Sandra, 67, who has been playing for a decade. 

Mum-of-one Sonia said youth charity Manchester’s Got Talent and food bank Keeping It Real 24/7 will get the bulk of her £9,211 windfall. Sacha and Colin Byrne had double delight, with Colin’s double ticket bagging them a cool £18,422. Aimee and John McCall already had a holiday to Zante planned, but after winning £9,211 said they might go to Dubai or even Lapland. 

Claudette Elliot, who lives on the same street as the McCalls, has big plans for her winnings. She is set to take her grandchildren to Vietnam. Another winner who has a big holiday on the horizon now is Lisa Harridge. After winning her slice of the postcode money, a trip to Barbados could be the way she spends it. 

Two other players living in the full winning postcode - WA15 9DZ - each banked £407,032. They did not wish to be identified. The bumper win for the Altrincham postcode was announced on the same day as 10 players shared a People’s Postcode Lottery £1 million pot six miles away in Heald Green. Neighbours on Greenhythe Road bagged the weekly Millionaire Street prize with their winning postcode SK8 3NS.