A WATER chrity has thanked lucky Brentwood residents for playing the post code lottery...and in turn, raising money for a good cause.

Last week, the Brentwood Weekly News revealed how Brentwood residents had their lives turned around when they walked away with a share of a £2million prize pot after their postcode, CM14 5, was the lucky winner at People’s Postcode Lottery’s Postcode Millions event.

By playing the charity lottery, players are also helping to transform lives around the world, as money from ticket sales is donated to charities such as WaterAid.

Engaged couple Byron Crawford and Sonia Cunningham won a whopping £600,000 between them as they were among four residents with the full winning postcode – CM14 5EG. Byron, who plays with one ticket, walked away with £200,000 and fiancée Sonia, who plays with two tickets, won a staggering £400,000.

Byron, 39, who works in mental health recovery and rehabilitation, said: "It’s still like a daydream. We are thinking about upsizing, we would like a bigger house next to the coast. It’s our daughter, Autumn’s, fourth birthday in October so we will be able to treat her and take her to Disneyland in Paris. We are also planning our wedding which will be in spring so that is one of our main priorities.

"We are living our lives the same as we have always done; I am still working and we still appreciate our Friday takeaway, although life will be easier now. I’ve also always wanted to start my own business. Winning this money means those pipe dreams can become a reality.”

Seventy lucky winners attended the event last week at King George’s Playing Field, Hartswood Road, Brentwood, to claim their life-changing prizes.

The event saw a number of representatives from supported charities in attendance, including Charlotte Flew from WaterAid, who donned the infamous WaterAid toilet costume as she thanked winners for their invaluable support.

Charlotte said: "It was fantastic to meet this month’s winners and share in the great atmosphere of the event as well as thanking players for their support. It was great to hear the life-changing plans that players had for their winnings, but also how players are transforming lives by donating to WaterAid.

"Water and toilets form the building blocks to a better future, yet it’s so easy for us to take these basic facilities for granted. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have donated a fantastic £150,000 this year, which is helping over a 1,000 people in Uganda to access life-saving taps and toilets."

Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery is helping WaterAid transform lives in Uganda by funding water and sanitation projects. A lack of these basic facilities is having a devastating impact on people’s health, education and livelihoods.

Byron added: "Water is something that should be accessible everywhere. It is something that is so cheap and we take it for granted. WaterAid is a fantastic charity and I am pleased to have supported them through playing People’s Postcode Lottery."

Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: "Postcode Millions events are extremely exciting for players as it’s a chance to win life-changing sums of money. However, by playing People’s Postcode Lottery, players have so far raised an incredible £49.3 million for charities and good causes including WaterAid, who have been awarded £150,000 by players to help them on their mission to create a world where everyone, everywhere has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene."