A SYNDICATE of cleaners from Treloar College has cleaned up after winning a £250,000 share of the National Lottery Thunderball jackpot.
Mother-of-two and syndicate head Helen Hodkin (46), who lives in Alton, was at home with her husband David when she discovered the win.
Helen bought the winning Lucky Dip ticket from Co-op in Alton, and the winning numbers for the draw, which took place on Saturday July 27, were 1, 22, 27, 31, 32, and the Thunderball number was 12. The syndicate has been playing Thunderball since its launch in 1999, and they plan to continue playing.
Helen said: ÒWe had just returned home from a relativeÕs 50th birthday party when I realised that I hadnÕt checked the numbers, which I always share with my work friends, so I thought IÕd check them before I went to bed.
ÒAt first I couldnÕt believe that our numbers had actually come up - it was late at night and I was still caught up with all the excitement of the evening. I really thought I was imagining it.
ÒMy husband had to double check the numbers for me, as he thought I was still a little tipsy from the celebrations. Once we were sure, I called my sister-in-law, who is also a member of the syndicate, to tell her the good news.
ÒI then phoned my two children Terry (23) and Tracey (21) to share the news with them. But it wasnÕt until Sunday morning that we contacted the rest of the group who were shocked, but very excited.Ó
The syndicate members already have some ideas about what they would like to do with the winnings. Luxury holidays, home improvements and celebratory meals are high up on the list.