‘I’m in a dream’: Mum says ‘my husband was so wrong’ after staggering win

A Greater Manchester woman has won £83,333 on the postcode lottery after her husband joked she would receive “about 78p”. Marie Freeman, 49, from Farnworth, secured the five-figure sum when the postcode BL4 7EF was named a Millionaire Street winner on Saturday.

Her husband Jason, 51, dismissed the chances of winning a significant pay out. Ms Freeman said: “He thought I’d win about 78p. Then when I told him it might be £1,000, he was like, ‘Alright… maybe £2,000 if you’re lucky’. That was his big prediction.

“I’m glad he was so wrong, it still doesn’t feel real. It’s like I’m in a dream.”

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Instead, she landed £83,333, one of nine equal shares of a £1 million prize. Three players in the street doubled their winnings to £166,666 by holding two tickets.

Ms Freeman, a vocational trainer, said the scale of the win hasn’t sunk in yet. She said: “It’s crazy. I just couldn’t believe it. Anything over £50,000, I never expected. So, £83,333 – it’s just… wow.

“Over the years there’s been a couple of £10s, maybe £15 here and there. That’s all we ever really expected, to be honest.

She revealed she broke the news to her husband while he was at work, telling him: “You know how you said it would be maximum £1,000? It’s £3,000. But put eighty grand in front of that!”

The couple now plan to use the money to support family. On the top of her list is her ‘best, best friend’ who is getting married this summer in Spain. Marie says the trip will now become more than just a getaway – it will be a chance to create lasting memories.

She said: “It’s things like that – being able to go to the wedding, not worry about the cost, and just make it really special.

Her 15-year-old daughter Janaya is also set to benefit – although Marie suspects the excitement will quickly turn into a shopping spree.

Marie said: “She’s obsessed with trainers. She’s got racks full of them already – loads of pairs. I think she’ll want another pair and another shoe rack to boot!”

She’s also keen to share the love with stepdaughter Brioney, 22, who is starting an exciting new chapter of her own with her fiancé.

Marie said: “They’ve literally just bought a house and they’re due to move in next month, so it’s all happening at once. I can buy them something nice for the new house. You know, something to help them get started properly. It’s those kinds of things that make a difference.”

The prize will also be used to support family members and meet upcoming costs, including veterinary treatment for the family dog.

She added that her husband, a plasterer, is now planning how to spend part of the winnings on expanding his marine aquarium hobby and she is happy to ‘modestly’ splash out on her hubby’s love of fish tanks.

Marie said: “He absolutely loves his fish. He’s got a proper marine tank in our dining room – all the corals, the colours, everything. When it’s all lit up, it’s beautiful… even if I don’t always admit it to him!”

Other residents in the street also benefited from the draw. Ignatious Areekal, 37, a hospital radiographer who signed up to the lottery two months ago.

The hospital radiographer said: “I’m just two months playing the Postcode Lottery. I signed up to give money to charity.” I don’t have any words. I was not expecting this. Thank you.”

He said the money would help his family move from rented accommodation into a home of their own.

“This will help us buy a new house somewhere for my family. We’re searching houses at the moment. We like to be in Farnworth because the hospital is near.”

He added: “I feel good, but a little nervous. I’ll have a party with my family and go out in the evening.”

The Farnworth win formed part of the People’s Postcode Lottery Millionaire Street draw, in which players sharing a postcode split a guaranteed £1 million.

The draw also triggered funding for local organisations. The Bolton Guild of Help received £60,000, while additional grants were awarded to Families and Babies (FAB), Precious Gems, Breaking Barriers NW and Befriending and Adult Autism Support.

Richard Davies, Guild Chairman, said: “This wonderful funding from the Postcode Lottery has come at just the right time. It will allow us to maintain and expand our support services to some of the most vulnerable people in the town during a time of ever-increasing need.”

The People’s Postcode Lottery operates charity lotteries on behalf of an independent trust, raising funds for a range of good causes while awarding cash prizes to players.