Residents in Craymill Square, Crayford, win share of £1 million in People’s Postcode Lottery
Published: 12:18, 24 November 2023
Updated: 13:07, 24 November 2023
Neighbours are celebrating after winning a share of £1 million.
Players in Craymill Square, Crayford, landed £200,000 each after their address was announced as the winner in the People’s Postcode Lottery.
The five residents in DA1 4SF won the weekly Millionaire Street prize last Saturday.
They all chose to remain anonymous.
In October, it was revealed those living in Shepherd's Gate, Gillingham, were lucky winners – taking home thousands of pounds in prize money.
During the same month, more than 1,400 neighbours in Deal collected their share of an £11.2 million jackpot.
Following last week’s win, an additional £1 million will also be shared between local charities in the area.
An award of £25,000 has thrown a lifeline to food bank Howbury Friends.
Based in Erith, Bexley, they feed more than 2,000 people every week.
Soaring demand, low supplies and rising food costs threatened to shut their doors before Christmas.
Community project coordinator, Melanie Hudson, oversees the running of the food bank.
She also organises numerous community groups – including after-school activities, football groups, over 70s food clubs and cookery classes.
“Funding raised by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery will make a huge difference to our work,” Melanie said.
“Earlier this week we feared we wouldn’t be able to open the food bank due having such low supplies.
“This funding will enable us to be able to keep the food bank full of food over the winter months and support vital appeals for coats and jumpers this Christmas.”
She added: “In these times of austerity we’re one of the only lifelines for people in the area.
“We have up to 300 people visit our food bank daily, this equates to us feeding over 2,000 people in one week.
“In one day, we can give out up to 70 loaves of bread and essential items such as packets of pasta.
“It is a huge pressure to feed your own family, let alone a community.”
Other local charities – Active Horizons, Bexley Crossroads Care and Re-Instate – will all receive £50,000 in funding.
One is a youth-led organisation, the other provides support for unpaid carers and the third aims to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged people.
People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador, Jeff Brazier, said: “It’s definitely a Saturday to remember for five of our players in Crayford, it’s a truly life-changing sum.
“And it’s amazing to see Howbury Friends will also receive funding alongside local charities after the neighbour’s postcode landed the Millionaire Street prize.”
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Cara Simmonds