Couple who both nearly died bank £333,333 lottery windfall

Ticketholder Rebecca Andrews, 46, landed a third of a £1milllon prize, soon after she and hubby David Docherty, 70, both cheated death in separate medical emergencies.

David spent weeks fighting for his life after internal bleeding led to high-risk emergency surgery, while Rebecca collapsed alone at home after a hornet sting triggered a catastrophic allergic reaction.

Now the couple say the six-figure tax-free prize has finally given them hope again and they’ll splash out on treating their family and friends.

Rebecca, of Glentham, near Market Rasen, 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."

She added: "I lost my job in the NHS in January. David nearly died. Then I nearly died.

"It's just been really, really stressful – one thing after another.

"It's been that kind of year you don't wish on anybody."

David added: "You come through all the rubbish, and then sometimes something wonderful happens. This has given us hope again."

As previously reported, Rebecca was one of three neighbours sharing a £1m prize when LN8 2EX landed Postcode Lottery's weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday July 18. Each ticket was worth £333,333.

David, who works for the ambulance services, was left fighting for his life after years of suffering with chronic diverticulitis.

Repeated internal bleeding eventually led to emergency surgery before he spent five weeks in intensive care, losing more than two stone.

At his lowest point he feared he would never leave hospital.

David said: "I got to the stage where I just thought, 'If I go, I go.

“It was that bad that I stopped caring if I lived.”

He added: "It was one of the hospital domestic staff who changed everything. She got me up from my bed and took me in a wheelchair out into the hospital garden and we started talking.

“We spoke for a while, and she told me about her children with special needs, and there was just something that clicked. It opened up my soul again.

"That young lady, Naomi, probably the lowest-paid person in the hospital, saved my life."

Just months later, Rebecca suffered her own terrifying brush with death.

She went into anaphylactic shock after being stung by a hornet while she was at home alone.

Only because she had accidentally left the front door unlocked were paramedics able to reach her before it was too late.

Rebecca said: “It was really scary. I couldn’t move or breath. The paramedics told me that if my front door had been locked then that could have been the end.”

For David, it is another remarkable twist in a life already defined by helping others.

Nearly 30 years ago he became known as ‘The White Knight of Croatia’ after dedicating himself to helping orphaned and injured children during the Kosovo conflict.

Working as a civilian facilities manager supporting British forces in the Balkans, he spent his own money buying teddy bears, chocolate and essentials for youngsters living in bombed-out institutions.

His compassion inspired soldiers to join his aid missions, eventually growing into a huge fundraising campaign that transformed countless lives.

One little girl who had already lost one eye to cancer was facing losing the other because her family were living in dire conditions and couldn't afford treatment.

David immediately paid for the operation.

When he returned years later, she was healthy, smiling and playing with her friends.

His humanitarian work won widespread praise and even saw Croatian officials arrange for the Pope's tailor to make him a bespoke suit as a thank-you.

Despite everything they have endured this year, David and Rebecca say their first thoughts after winning weren't about themselves.

Rebecca said: "I'm going to share it with my friends and family.

"My nephew is getting married in December and couldn't afford a honeymoon, so we'll help him.

"David's niece is getting married too, so we'll buy them a lovely wedding present.

"I just want to look after friends and family and see them happy."

She laughed: "I want to buy David some new trainers and some new shorts.

"And maybe I'll have a spending spree on some clothes."

The couple live in a farmhouse dating back to the late 1700s, surrounded by fields and a menagerie of horses, chickens, Elvis the cockerel, Monkey the cat and two cockatiels.

Rebecca said: “The first thing I will buy is a Ragdoll kitten, I'd normally rescue, but because we've got the cockatiels, we need a breed that's a bit calmer and easier to train.

“I couldn't be without a cat. They become part of the family.”

Rebecca said: “I didn’t realise how expensive they are now. They’ve like tripled in price since I got Monkey the cat.”

Rebecca and David also welcomed the news that local charities would also receive thousands of pounds as a result of their Millionaire Street win.

David said: "Knowing local charities, animals and people with learning disabilities will benefit too – that's wonderful."

One of the charities, Lincolnshire Trust for Cats, has received £50,000 thanks to funds raised by Postcode Lottery players.