I chucked my lottery jackpot away & came within INCHES of losing the whole lot – it gave me the shock of my life

A GREAT grandad came within inches of losing his lottery jackpot after chucking it to one side.

Semi-retired bricklayer Frank Bithell, from Holt, near Wrexham, got the shock of his life when he realised he’d won the Nightingale House Hospice Lottery.

Frank, 77, said: “I just popped the post to one side not thinking anything of it.

“I went to open it later and nearly fell over when I saw the £2,500 cheque.

“I don’t know what I will spend the money on yet but I have got 21 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren so I am sure it will be put to good use.”

Frank’s wife Maria, who died in 2021 just before their 50th wedding anniversary, played the Nightingale House Lottery for over 10 years.

Frank said: “It is just a shame she is not here with me to enjoy it, we would have had a holiday maybe.

“Maria played the lottery for years as she wanted to support the hospice.”

Frank and Maria, who worked as a dressmaker, got together following a dance in Wrexham.

Although the pair didn’t enjoy the dance together, Frank walked Maria home and then they went on a date together to the cinema.

Frank said: “The rest, as they say, was history.” 

Nightingale House has cared for many of Frank’s friends and family and has helped raise funds for the lottery for many years performing with his pals in their band, The King Bees.

Frank, who plays guitar, is a huge fan of The Rolling Stones and recalled several gigs where the proceeds, which have totalled several thousand pounds, were donated to the hospice.

Frank added: “The hospice is so important and we have always supported in any way we can.

“On the many occasions I have visited, I can see the good work done here.”

Amanda Kinsey, Lottery Promotions Manager, said: “We would like to thank Frank for his support with our lottery, which raises a vital amount each year to fund the services for patients and their families.

“We hope Frank and his family enjoy their big win.”

Lottery near misses

Frank will most likely keep an eager eye on his post from now on, but the pensioner is not the only person to have some lotto luck.

In September this year, a man thanked his wife-to-be for convincing him to buy tickets for the Postcode Lottery.

Rachel and Callum landed £320,000 in the picturesque harbour town of Woodbridge, near Ipswich, Suffolk.

But the size of their wins left the pair stunned – and they came so close to losing the jackpot.

Rachel explained: “Everyone thought we’d win about £30,000. I didn’t want to get too excited. It’s incredible, isn’t it?

“You don’t ever think you’ll win big. This is a life-changing amount of money. We’ve only ever won tenners.

“We’ve been playing for six or seven years. We wanted to do something for charity, so thought we would just try it.”

Another Postcode Lottery winner wasn’t quite so pleased with his win and threw the prize straight in the bin.

Chris Cork, from Manchester, has played the lottery for eight years and thought he was in the money after the postie delivered a branded parcel to his door.