I won £800k after playing the lottery for first time at 69… but I’m not moving anywhere – I live on treasure island
A GRANDMA won £800k after playing the lottery for the first time – but vows she isn’t moving anywhere because she lives on treasure island.
Sheila Ely, 69, scooped the whopping prize when her lucky postcode was picked in the latest draw on Saturday.
The retired childminder from Canvey Island, Essex, went out on a whim and signed up for the first time – with no idea she would win big.
Mum-of-two Sheila was among 11 neighbours in her area to land one of the Postcode Lotto’s suspected biggest jackpots ever.
It comes as hundreds of residents on the island shared £17.3million.
The Grand Prix-obsessed gran-of-four has now vowed to go and see her favourite track in Abu Dhabi with her winnings.
She said: “It’s always been a dream of mine to go to see the Formula One and what better one to go than Abu Dhabi.
“I’ve been a fan of racing since I was a kid, and my late husband was also a big fan. I’m sure he’s looking out for me.
“I never played the lottery when he was alive, and I did it on a whim.”
Family-focused Sheila suffers with multiple sclerosis and also wants to spend her small fortune on a new and bigger bungalow – but wants to be in the same area.
She added: “I’ve got a frame on my right leg because my walking is terrible due to my condition so a bungalow with more space would be lovely.
“But there’s no way I’m moving from Canvey. All my friends are here and it’s just a beautiful community.
“I have five or six friends who have also won, so we’re all going to meet up and see how we’ve all done.”
Her son Matthew Ely, 32, has celebrated with his mum – and hopes she’ll take him on a Grand Prix trip too.
He said: “It’s fantastic. I feel like I don’t need to worry about her and she can just enjoy herself now.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Spa, the Grand Prix in Belgium. If mum treats me, we’ll go together.”
He added: “A few days ago, I was telling my mum off for wanting to buy a Ninja Air Fryer and now she’s won this. It’s crazy.”
Sheila also told her two of her youngest grandchildren have been updating their Christmas lists since finding out about her win.
She said: “The little ones are over the moon, and they are compiling another Christmas list.”
It comes after another lucky woman from Essex pocketed £90,000 – and decided to splash the cash on a very simple product.
A group of pals also found themselves being handed a cheque worth £90,000.