Couple who both ‘nearly died’ cash out in bumper Postcode Lottery win
A £333,333 Postcode Lottery has been awarded to a husband and wife who both nearly died within a few months of each other.
Rebecca Andrews, 46, and husband David Docherty, 70, were one of three people in Glentham, Lincolnshire, who bought tickets to split the life-changing sum of £1 million.
On the win, Ms Andrews said: “It doesn’t feel realistic at all. I lost my job in the NHS in January. David almost died. Then I almost died.
“It’s been a year where you didn’t wish on anyone.”
Earlier this year, Mr Docherty, who works for the ambulance service, was left fighting for his life after suffering from chronic diverticulitis for years and repeated internal bleeding eventually led to emergency surgery.
In total he spent five weeks in intensive care and lost more than two stone.
Recalling his experience, he said: “I got to a stage where I thought, ‘If I go, I’ll go.’
“It was so bad that I stopped caring whether I lived or not.”
Just months later Ms Andrews suffered her own terrifying ordeal following a severe allergic reaction to a wasp sting.
Ms Andrews said it “could have been the end” if paramedics had not been able to reach her so quickly.
The couple described the win as a “complete shock” after a difficult year.
Mr Docherty added: “You go through all this crap and then sometimes wonderful things happen. It’s given us hope again.”
For Mr Docherty, this win is another remarkable chapter in a life dedicated to helping others.
Supporting British forces in the Balkans 30 years ago, he became known as ‘Croatia’s White Knight’ after dedicating himself to helping orphaned and injured children during the Kosovo conflict.
His efforts inspired many soldiers to participate in relief missions, which together turned into a fundraising campaign that changed countless lives across the country.
For Mr Docherty, one incident remains particularly memorable when a young girl who could not afford treatment was in danger of losing her sight due to cancer. As soon as Mr. Docherty heard about this, he immediately paid for the operation.
When he returned to Croatia years later, he found him healthy, smiling and playing with his friends.
In addition to sharing their winnings with family and friends, the winning couple said they plan to add to their pet collection, which currently includes horses, chickens, a cat, two cockatiels and Elvis the cockerel.
Ms Andrews shared: “I just want to look at my friends and family and see them happy.”
They both welcomed the news that local charities will also receive thousands of pounds as a result of the victory on Millionaire’s Row.
Mr Docherty said: “This almost brings more tears to your eyes than us winning.
“Knowing about local charities, animals and people with learning disabilities will also benefit, which is great.”
Four Lincolnshire-based charities (Lincolnshire Trust for Cats, Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, Rock Foundation and Caistor Foodbank) also won a total of £200,000 through the Postcode Raffle.
