A HYDE street has been transformed into a scene of celebrations after neighbours shared a life-changing Postcode Lottery windfall.
One couple revealed the cash came after another memorable win helped create their dream engagement.
Lauren Conroy, 38, and partner Connor were among residents on SK14 4EQ who each won £47,619, after their postcode scooped a share of the lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize.
The win brought back memories of a previous £1,000 prize which helped the couple turn a planned beach proposal in Thailand into a romantic yacht trip.
Lauren and Connor had travelled to Phuket, where nurse Connor, 43, planned to ask the big question. But while away, they discovered their earlier win – and decided to make the moment even more special.
‘You’re joking me…’
Connor said: “You’re joking me, aren’t you? For us, in our situation, this will be life changing.
“The first win on its own was enough, but to win this as well…”
Lauren said: “We had planned to get engaged in Thailand but when we got there we got a phone call from our eldest to say a golden envelope had come through and could she open it.
“We found out we had won £1,000 and decided to have a much better holiday. We were planning to get engaged on the beach, but we got a yacht to take us out on the horizon. It was beautiful. That alone changed everything for us.”
The couple, who have since married and now have four children, said their Thailand trip carried even more meaning as they scattered Lauren’s mum’s ashes there after she never got the chance to visit the country herself.
Connor said: “Lauren’s mum had just passed away, and she’d always wanted to go to Thailand. We scattered her ashes at the same time.”
Lauren added: “The win meant we went to see elephants and did all sorts of stuff. I said at the time it was a gift from my mum. It was beautiful.”
The teacher, who works with children with social, emotional and mental health needs, admitted the latest win left her struggling to take it all in.
She said: “I’ve been choking on anxiety all day. I had to teach English and maths in the morning. I don’t know how I got through it. I can’t put into words how much this is going to mean to us.”
The couple are now planning a family holiday, improvements around their home and maybe even a trip further afield.
Lauren said: “A nice holiday for us and the four kids, probably outside of Europe. We’ve always wanted to go to Mexico. There are a few things we want to do in the house and garden. We can get a new shed.”
‘This is going to be amazing’
Across the street, Sharon Aldred, 56, and daughter Amy, 20, also celebrated after both landed the same £47,619 prize.
Sharon, who took early retirement through ill health, said: “I’m more pleased for my daughter because that’s a fantastic start for a 20-year-old. She’s beautiful and massively deserves it.
“That means so much to us. We’re working people and I’ve just retired from the NHS. This is a massive, life changing amount of money.”
Amy, who recently completed a project management apprenticeship, said: “It’s amazing to win with my mum. I think she needs a boost.”
Neighbour Janet Ward, 67, also picked up a cheque, and said sharing the moment with those around her made it even more special.
She said: “It’s lovely to win with our neighbours, we get on so well with them.”
Meanwhile, Angie Newman, 55, said the money would help her family at a time when several big milestones are approaching.
She said: “There are quite a few things going on at the moment. We’ve got three daughters between us. One is expecting a baby next month, another is renovating a house nearby and the third one is getting married next year. This is probably good timing for all of them.
“We’re doing house renovations ourselves, so this is going to be amazing.”
The winning postcode also means a boost for a local cause, with Hyde-based Diversity Matters North West receiving £50,000 from funds raised by lottery players.
Chair of trustees Lina Patel MBE said: “Thanks to Postcode Lottery players, we can continue to support local people, reduce inequalities and empower individuals to build brighter, healthier futures. This funding comes at a crucial time, as demand for grassroots support services continues to rise.”