A Manchester mum’s Lottery win transforms the life of her young disabled daughter

AN emotional mum from Manchester is planning to buy a new home to transform the life of her severely disabled daughter after winning People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Nichola Galley, 43, told how she has been searching on Rightmove for four years after council bosses refused planning permission to adapt the family home for Ava, 13. 

The miracle teen has defied all odds after being born with a genetic condition so rare it doesn’t have a name. It means Ava is non-verbal, unable to walk without help and has to be tube fed. 

Now supermarket café worker Nichola says her £55,555 Millionaire Street win will help the family move from their unsuitable semi in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester.

Nichola said: “Ava’s condition is so rare it doesn’t have a name. Most pregnancies either miscarry or are stillborn and doctors didn’t expect her to still be with us at this age. She likes to keep us all on our toes! 

“We’ll use this to move into a home that’s more suitable for Ava’s needs. I’ve been on Rightmove every day for the last four years. 

“I want to give Ava her own bedroom with a dressing table, just like every 13-year-old girl wants.” 

She added: “This has given us a bit of hope and a little bit of happiness, it feels like it’s within our reach now. I feel a bit lighter.” 

Nichola and creative director husband Paul, 47, had to turn part of their downstairs dining room into a bedroom for Ava as she got older. 

She added: “A little trip to Spain would be nice – I’ve been practicing my Spanish for a few years. Whether or not we can go as a family is yet to be seen – it might just be a girl’s trip!” 

Neighbour Pam Lowe, 67, scooped £111,110 thanks to playing with two tickets. 

Horse lover Pam says she’ll treat her sister Christine, 62, to a Wild West trip with the windfall. 

The retired library assistant said: “I’d love to go to America, see the Grand Canyon and stay on a ranch.  

“I’ve four horses, too – Princess, Mable, Georgie Girl and Meg – they’ll get a treat.  

“My daughter Jennifer is already putting her order in for what to spend it on, too.” 

Intensive care nurse Sarah Penkett said the win helps wipe away the strain of the pandemic. 

The mum-of-two picked up a £55,555 cheque after getting cover for her shift.

Sarah, 35, said: “The last couple of years has been pretty heavy going, so this is nice.”

Michael Humphreys, 61, is planning a ruby wedding anniversary to remember with wife Barbara, 60. 

The pair say they’ll do America’s iconic Route 66 to celebrate 40 years of marriage in October. 

Michael, a retired underwriter, said: “We’ve talked about doing Route 66 for a while but put it off because it’s a lot of money… but now we’ve got a lot of money! 

“I think we’ll do it in a big fancy American convertible. This has paid for it.” 

Retired supermarket bakery worker Barbara wants to make a dent in the £55,555 with two designer handbags. 

She said: “We can stop off at the shopping malls on the way and I can get two Michael Kors handbags now – one for shopping and one for show.” 

Maternity support worker Emma Norton was visibly shaking when she found out she’d landed a five-figure sum. 

Now she says she’ll celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary to water board worker husband Michael, 42, in style. 

Emma, 39, said: “I’m gobsmacked – I don’t even win the tombola at the kids’ school fayre. 

“We’re going to the Dominican Republic, so we’ll be able to splash out. I might even get my own speedboat. It’s a dream come true.” 

Manchester United fan Paul Holden kissed his £55,555 cheque after pulling it from the gold envelope. 

He previously won over £2,000 when Dukinfield scooped £3 million in the monthly Millions prize five years ago. 

The electrical contracts engineer said: “This is a thing of beauty, fantastic. I’m just gobsmacked.” 

The keen golfer has already booked a holiday to Benidorm with wife Julie, 61 – but hopes to splash out on another trip to Italy. 

The dad-of-two said: “I’ve always wanted to go to Rome to try the Italian food and wine, and now the Postcode Lottery has given me that opportunity.” 

But Paul and carer Julie revealed eldest daughter Charlotte, 33, missed out after ditching the winning postcode when she moved to another area and signed up there. 

Grandmother Julie said: “Charlotte came out of this postcode when she moved. If she’d kept it, she would be a winner too. 

“But she’s happy for us. She said ‘it’s just my luck’.”

Postcode Lottery ambassadors Danyl Johnson and Matt Johnson brought joy to the street. 

Matt said: “We had a delightful day in Dukinfield, sharing the Millionaire Street love with an incredible 17 winners. 

“It’s incredibly special to see neighbours winning together. But local charities in Dukinfield also have something to celebrate, thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery players. 

  

“They have raised more than £1.1 billion for charities and thousands of local good causes. Neighbours win and charities win. It’s the ultimate win-win situation!” 

How it works  

People’s Postcode Lottery costs £12 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws. A minimum of 33% from each ticket goes to charity. 

Every Saturday, £1 million will be shared by one postcode as part of the lottery’s Millionaire Street prize.  

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £1.1 billion for thousands of charities and local good causes. 

This prize was promoted on behalf of Postcode International Trust which supports organisations including Mary’s Meals, British Red Cross and Action Aid.