Christmas windfall for Desborough neighbours as they share £250,000 lottery jackpot

One joked they would celebrate with a Ribena!
Kimberley with her cheque and, pictured right, ambassador Matt Johnson.Kimberley with her cheque and, pictured right, ambassador Matt Johnson.
Kimberley with her cheque and, pictured right, ambassador Matt Johnson.

A support worker who is expecting her first baby is one of four people in Desborough sharing a pot of £250,000 thanks to their lucky postcode.

Kimberley Foster, 38, landed a cheque for £50,000 alongside two of her neighbours when NN14 2XJ was announced as the People’s Postcode Lottery's winning postcode today (Tuesday).

And a fourth Elton Close area winner doubled their prize to £100,000 thanks to playing with two tickets.

The win couldn’t have come at a better time for Kimberley, who has worked throughout the pandemic and is expecting her first baby alongside her partner, Zeke.

She said: “I’m nearly six months pregnant and we’re due in April so I can buy loads of baby stuff now and get my nursery done.

“I work long hours and I was worried about going on maternity leave. I thought I was going to have to go back after six weeks but I’ll be able to take a bit longer and enjoy it now.

"It’s life changing-money really, isn’t it? It would take me years and years and years to save that kind of money.”

And the jackpot is some welcome good news for Kimberley after a difficult year.

She said: “I had my heart set on £1,000 and I would’ve been happy with that so I’m not processing it. I don’t think I believe it’s actually my money.”

Normally neighbours would find out about their win by getting a golden knock on the door, but because of Covid measures Kimberley discovered how much she’d won on a video call with People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson.

When she saw what was written on the cheque, she gasped: “Oh my gosh, is that for me? My heart’s going well fast.”

And when asked how she would celebrate the windfall, Kimberley joked: “I’ve got a Ribena!”

The neighbours won the prize as part of People’s Postcode Lottery’s special Christmas campaign, where one postcode is announced as a £50,000 prize winner every day. All the players in the postcode win £50,000 for every ticket they hold.

The remaining winners weren’t available to collect their prize but the cash will be paid into their bank accounts.

Commenting on the win, People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson said: “I’m over the moon for Kimberley and her partner Zeke. With a new baby on the way in 2021, I’m sure the winnings will come in very handy.

“A massive congratulations to our other lucky players in Desborough – I hope they’re just as delighted with their cheques!”