22 July 2023 , 08:12
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A mum who spent years scouring Rightmove hoping to find a property for her and her disabled daughter has won a huge prize that could finally make her dream come true.
Nichola Galley, 43, wanted to adapt her family home in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, to meet her daughter Ava's needs but said they were denied planning permission by the council.
The 13-year-old was born with a genetic disorder so rare it does not even have a name – leaving her tube fed, non-verbal, and unable to walk by herself. As the girl grew up, Nicola spent years on Rightmove trying to find a property, but has never had any luck, reports the Manchester Evening News.
But the mum now hopes her dream may be finally coming true after she scooped a £55,555 share of her neighbourhood's prize in the People's Postcode Lottery.
Mum Nichola spent years trying to find a property that would be suitable for Ava's needs (PEOPLE'S POSTCODE LOTTERY)Nicola bagged the money along with 16 other neighbours after their postcode - SK16 5AZ - was announced as the winner of the Millionaire Street prize. The supermarket café worker said the cash prize will have a huge impact on her family life.
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She explained: "Ava's condition is so rare it doesn't have a name. Most pregnancies [of this condition] either miscarry or are stillborn and doctors didn't expect her to still be with us at this age. She likes to keep us all on our toes.
"We'll use this to move into a home that's more suitable for Ava's needs. I've been on Rightmove every day for the last four years. I want to give Ava her own bedroom with a dressing table, just like every 13-year-old girl wants.
"This has given us a bit of hope and a little bit of happiness, it feels like it's within our reach now. I feel a bit lighter."
Nichola had to give up her career in design when Ava was born in order to care for her full time.
She said: "Ava is getting older and bigger so we need a downstairs bedroom and a wet room and open plan living so she can move around safely.
Neighbours on the street scooped the huge prize (PEOPLE'S POSTCODE LOTTERY)"Hopefully it won't come to it but we might need hoists to lift her and everything that comes with that, too. We don't actually want to move. We did apply for planning permission to have a downstairs wet room bathroom for Ava, but it was denied.
"We've had to move Ava into the dining room, so it's a half dining room, half bedroom."
Also mum to son James, she added: “James has just finished his exams and he's done so well. I'm so proud of him. I think he deserves some driving lessons when the time comes. I'm still in shock, I can't believe we've won that amount of money. It's going to be so useful that it's hard not to get emotional.
“A little trip to Spain would be nice - I've been practicing my Spanish for a few years. Whether or not we can go as a family is yet to be seen - it might just be a girls' trip!"
People's Postcode Lottery Presenters Danyl Johnson and Matt Johnson were the ones to bring joy to the street.
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"We had a delightful day in Dukinfield, sharing the Millionaire Street love with an incredible 17 winners," Matt said. "It's incredibly special to see neighbours winning together. But local charities in Dukinfield also have something to celebrate, thanks to People's Postcode Lottery players.
"They have raised more than £1.1 billion for charities and thousands of local good causes. Neighbours win and charities win. It's the ultimate win-win situation!"
Nichola said the prize will change her family life (PEOPLE'S POSTCODE LOTTERY)Nichola's neighbour Pam scooped a huge £111,110 thanks to playing with two tickets. Horse-lover Pam says she'll treat her sister Christine to a Wild West trip with the windfall.
The retired library assistant said: "I'd love to go to America, see the Grand Canyon and stay on a ranch. I've four horses, too - Princess, Mable, Georgie Girl and Meg - they'll get a treat. My daughter Jennifer is already putting her order in for what to spend it on, too."
Another neighbour, intensive care nurse Sarah, said the win helps wipe away the strain of the pandemic. The mum-of-two picked up a £55,555 cheque after getting cover for her shift.
Sarah said: "The last couple of years has been pretty heavy going, so this is nice."
Neighbour Michael is planning a ruby wedding anniversary to remember with wife Barbara. The pair say they'll do America's iconic Route 66 to celebrate 40 years of marriage in October.
Michael, a retired underwriter, said: "We've talked about doing Route 66 for a while but put it off because it's a lot of money, but now we've got a lot of money! I think we'll do it in a big fancy American convertible. This has paid for it."
Neighbour and retired supermarket bakery worker Barbara wants to make a dent in the £55,555 with two designer handbags. She said: "We can stop off at the shopping malls on the way and I can get two Michael Kors handbags now - one for shopping and one for show."
Neighbour Emma was visibly shaken when she found out she had landed a five-figure sum. Now the maternity support worker says she will celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary to water board worker husband Michael in style. Emma said: "I'm gobsmacked - I don't even win the tombola at the kids' school fair.
"We're going to the Dominican Republic, so we'll be able to splash out. I might even get my own speedboat. It's a dream come true."
Manchester United fan Paul kissed his £55,555 cheque after pulling it from the gold envelope. He previously won over £2,000 when Dukinfield scooped £3 Million in the monthly Postcode Millions competition five years ago. The electrical contracts engineer said: "This is a thing of beauty, fantastic. I'm just gobsmacked."
The keen golfer has already booked a holiday to Benidorm with wife Julie, but hopes to splash out on another trip to Italy. The dad-of-two said, "I've always wanted to go to Rome to try the Italian food and wine, and now the Postcode Lottery has given me that opportunity."
But Paul and Julie revealed that their eldest daughter, Charlotte, missed out after ditching the winning postcode when she moved to another area and signed up there. Grandmother Julie said: "Charlotte came out of this postcode when she moved. If she'd kept it, she would be a winner too.
"But she's happy for us. She said, 'It's just my luck'."