Lottery win gets Jeffs year off on a high

A Skelton man has started 2016 that little bit wealthier after winning the £3,500 jackpot in the Pride in Penrith Lottery’s weekly draw.

Jeff Powell Davies has reaped the rewards of a spur-of-the-moment decision to join the lottery at Skelton Show four years ago. All four of his numbers came up to scoop the jackpot on Wednesday 13 January. 

“I hadn’t come across the lottery until I saw their stall at the show and it seemed like a great idea, to keep money in the area and help local groups,” Jeff said. “Other than seeing the membership subscriptions coming out of my account, I didn’t think any more about it and didn’t expect to win. I just joined to support the lottery’s work in the community.”

Jeff got quite a surprise when the lottery coordinator Nicky Jenkins called him with the good news, barely two weeks into the new year.

“I didn’t know I’d won until I got the call,” Jeff said. “I never checked the lottery’s weekly results because I didn’t even know what my numbers were. I’d chosen the lucky dip option when I joined.”

Rob Udale, chair of the lottery board, said: “What a lucky dip it turned out to be! Remaining a member over the years has certainly paid off for Jeff, as well as for the many local groups we’ve been able to help thanks to members like him.”

Since the lottery began five years ago, scores of members have won prizes from £20 up to the full jackpot of £5,000 in the weekly draw, along with regular prizes of £500 in the special draws. The jackpot was last won in June 2015, when two retired teachers from Penrith scooped £3,800, and one member was rewarded with a £500 win in the Christmas special draw in December. 

Jeff says he hasn’t decided what he’ll spend his winnings on just yet.

“I’ll wait until I have the cheque and then think about it!” he said.

Being in the lottery costs just £2 a week for one line in the draws.

“You can join and leave at any time, so there’s no fixed commitment,” Rob said. “We’re grateful for all subscriptions, however short, as it all adds to the pot of money we can give out to good causes in Penrith and the wider area. We’ve given out just over£70,000 in grants since the lottery started, so you know your money is really making a difference in the community.”

Join the lottery online at www.prideinpenrith.co.uk or by calling 07737 049516.