A husband and wife from Glentham, near Market Rasen, have been handed a tax-free windfall of £333,333 after their postcode was among the winners of the Postcode Lottery's weekly Millionaire Street draw.
From hospital wards to a six-figure surprise
The couple, who are neighbours with two other ticket-holders splitting the £1 million prize, say the money has arrived after a harrowing period in which they both came close to losing their lives.
The husband, David Docherty, 70, was admitted for emergency surgery following severe internal bleeding linked to chronic diverticulitis. He spent several weeks in intensive care, losing more than two stone while battling for his life and at times fearing he would not leave hospital. The wife, Rebecca Andrews, 46, collapsed at home after an allergic reaction to a hornet sting.
What the couple said
"It doesn't feel real at all. It was a complete shock. It’s unbelievable. I feel like I'm in a weird dream."
Rebecca told reporters the last year had been “really, really stressful — one thing after another”, recalling losing her NHS job in January and the pair's successive health scares. David reflected on the emotional toll of his recovery but said the prize had brought a ray of hope: "You come through all the rubbish, and then sometimes something wonderful happens. This has given us hope again."
How the win will be used
The couple say they plan to spend some of the money treating family and friends. The prize is tax-free and represents one third of the £1 million pot awarded to winners from postcode LN8 2EX on Saturday 18 July.
- Prize per ticketholder: £333,333
- Total postcode prize: £1,000,000
- Winner ages: Rebecca 46, David 70
Local context and practical information
Postcode Lottery draws allocate prizes among ticket-holders registered to a winning postcode; payouts are tax-free in the UK. For people recovering from serious illness, a sudden financial boost can ease immediate pressures—covering home adaptations, medical aftercare or household costs while one or both recover. Those interested in checking winning postcodes or verifying tickets should consult the Postcode Lottery's official channels and their own ticket documentation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winning postcode | LN8 2EX |
| Prize split | 3 winners — £333,333 each |
| Tax | Tax-free in the UK |
For the couple, who have spent recent months navigating hospital stays and recovery, the payout offers a chance to regroup. Neighbours and local readers will recognise in their story the twin themes of health resilience and small-community celebration — a reminder that, in Lincolnshire, ordinary lives can change in a single lottery draw.
