It’s first, second and third time lucky for mum-of-four Chantelle Riley from Castle Bromwich who has won her third big prize playing the People’s Postcode Lottery
Chantelle Riley from Castle Bromwich has now banked a combined £65k in her three lottery wins
A lucky teaching assistant and mum-of-four has won a huge lottery prize for the third time.
Mum-of-four Chantelle Riley, 47, from Castle Bromwich is one of 18 neighbours to share £1 million in the B36 area of the city.
Each of the neighbours has won £50,000, their share of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Read more: £1 million lottery fortune goes begging as winner misses prize deadline
And for the 47-year-old, it is her third big win, having previously won £14,221 and £1,078.
As a bonus, Chantelle convinced her partner to sign up to the lottery meaning he has won £50,000 too – along with 16 others in the area.
Now the mum-of-four who works at a special educational needs school plans to buy her rented home where she has lived for six years and spoil her first grandchild, who is due next month.
Teaching assistant, Chantelle Riley from Castle Bromwich won her third big Postcode Lottery prize and also convinced her partner to play so they each won £50,000
Chantelle said: “I can’t believe it. I’m feeling kind of numb. It’s unreal.
“I won £14,000 in the B36 9 postcode, which is literally across the road.
“And then two years ago I won again at that postcode. And now this my third win and my biggest. I feel very lucky.”
The 18 Auckland Drive residents won a share of the Millionaire Street prize when B36 0RX was announced as the winner on Saturday (November 22).
Each winning ticket was worth £50,000. One person trebled their prize to £150,000, thanks to playing with three tickets.
Read more: Sisters who live next door both win huge sum on Postcode Lottery
It is the sixth postcode to win £1 million in the last six days.
This week, the lottery announced a bumper week of prizes with seven postcodes landing a combined £7 million. Tomorrow, another postcode will win £1m.
The neighbours’ win is the third massive jackpot to land in Castle Bromwich in the last 11 years.
And on both of the previous occasions, it was the adjacent postcode area, B36 9, that shared the prize money – landing £2 million in February 2014, and many won again in July 2022 when £3.2 million was divvied out.
Eighteen neighbours who live in Auckland Drive in Castle Bromwich are all set to share the £1 million Millionaire Street Postcode Lottery prize
When Chantelle first won in 2014, landing a £14k cheque, she decided to keep playing with that postcode.
And that decision served her well as she then netted a £1k win, eight years later.
Despite moving house twice since her first win, Chantelle kept playing Postcode Lottery, purchasing tickets at her current postcode and her two previous addresses.
Read more: Grandmother’s ‘spontaneous decision’ bags her half a million pounds
She said: “I’ve moved a few times, and I kept my tickets going at each address. I didn’t want to miss out if any of my postcodes came up.
“Last time I won, my sister said, ‘Well, I’m not going to sign up for Postcode Lottery because you won’t win again round here.’
“Now I have… and she’s kicking herself.”
But her partner also won, thanks to her encouragement.
She said: “A few months ago, I said to him, ‘You need to start playing because just in case we do win, we’ll both get it!”
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And on spending her winnings she said: “This house might be getting bought now. The future is looking bright.
“I’ve got a granddaughter due on the 10th of December, so she’ll get some nice things for sure.
“I did spot a nice pair of Prada boots… maybe I’ll treat myself.”
The dedicated mum and school worker added: “It’s amazing to win with so many people on my street. I’m so happy for next door as they’ve won as well.”
Farmfoods worker, Sandra Grimes, said she cried when she saw the cheque for £50,000
Another £50,000 winner was Farmfoods worker, Sandra Grimes, 59, who jumped with joy when her prize was revealed.
The gran-of-five said: “This is the dream of dreams. I didn’t think this sort of thing happens to people like me.
“I’m just glad other people get this opportunity. If just a few people could experience what I’m feeling right now… I’ll be really happy for them, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Sandra laughed and added: “And my kids are liars because they said I’d get pennies. Look at me now.”
“I would have been happy just to get a new carpet for my stairs and I can now.”
Sandra says she will toast her late husband, David Grimes, who passed away in December 2020, aged 52.
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She said: “We always have an anniversary dinner on the 17th of December for him; we’ll be having drinks as well as dinner.
“And I’ll raise a glass to him because I believe he’s sent all of this.”
At the start of 2026, Sandra will celebrate her 60th but says her windfall won’t change her birthday plans.
Sandra said: “Just to have my family there is the most important thing. I’d be happy with just a cake from Costco.”
She was also very pleased for her fellow winners on the street.
Sandra said: “All my neighbours are amazing, I’ve been blessed. They’re the reason I’m still living here. I couldn’t wish for better neighbours.”
Harry Potter super-fan Conor Lavelle was another of the Auckland Drive Millionaire Street winners
Harry Potter super-fan Conor Lavelle, 30, has also banked £50,000 and he will celebrate by touring the famous Warner Brothers Studio in London.
He said: “I love Harry Potter. I’ve read all the books, watched all the movies, played all the games.
“I’ve always wanted to tour the studios again, where lots of the films were shot. And I think I’ll buy a couple of wands.”
Conor, who works in Tesco, will also complete his Harry Potter inspired tattoo sleeve on his right arm.
He said: “My friend qualified as a tattoo artist last year, and she designed my sleeve. It’s not finished yet… but soon it will be.”
Conor Lavelle is set to spend his £50,000 winning on a visit to the Warner Brothers Studio in London and also on finishing his Harry Potter-themed sleeve tattoo
Conor, who previously worked as a stage production manager, holds aspirations to return to theatre full-time or start his own production business. But before that he wants to get his driving licence.
He said: “I want to do a driving course, so I can pass my test. And then I’ll buy a new car.”
People’s Postcode Lottery costs £12.25 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day.
People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
The £38.2 million prize pot must be won in December’s draws and the deadline to sign up is at midnight on November 30.
