LADY luck has smiled on Julie Hellowell - the first winner of a local charity's lottery draw.

The 30-year-old mum of two from Poulton said she was over the moon when Karen Carman, lottery manager for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Society for the Blind, broke the news last week that she had won the jackpot of £1,000.

Julie, who works as a clerical assistant at the Blackpool Victoria hospital, said she will spend some of the money on a recently booked family holiday.

She said: "This is fantastic, brilliant. I just can't believe it's true. I've never won anything before and so that's what makes this win absolutely marvellous.

"But I'm sure I'll have no trouble spending the money. There's a million and one things that need doing around the house so it won't take long before it's all gone.

"I bought the ticket around a fortnight ago and forgot about it really. I thought it was more of a chance to give a couple of pounds to charity.

"You never think you're going to win the jackpot when you buy the ticket. But then I got the unexpected call that I'd won and I was over the moon."

Karen was equally overjoyed. She said: "I'm so pleased for Julie - our first jackpot couldn't have gone to a nicer woman.

"When I phoned her she was out and I had to leave a message. But when I spoke to her later in the day she was almost speechless.

"We've had a superb response to our lottery, which guarantees one winner £1,000 every week."

In addition to Julie's win, 34 other winners shared £500.

For more information about joining the lottery, which costs £1 per week, call Karen on (01253) 792600.

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