"It's a day we'll never forget, we'll never forget in a million years."
Those are the words of an NHS worker from Bedlington who is celebrating a £30,000 win with People's Postcode Lottery.
Judith Coates was enjoying a trip to Edinburgh with her husband Darren when the couple received a call to say their postcode had been selected as the latest winner.
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And they received a further surprise when they discovered that they were in the same city as the lottery's head office - and they could find out what they had won and collect their cheque during their trip.
When dad-of-two Darren caught a glimpse of the cheque, he said: "Wow! I wasn't expecting that. That feels amazing; I'm totally and absolutely flabbergasted."
Judith, who has worked as an NHS nurse for over 33 years, said the pandemic had been an especially difficult time and described the win as "incredible news".
She added: "The last few years have been really tough, and with both our kids also working in the NHS, it's been tough for us all. So, this is just incredible news."
The couple are now planning a holiday with their two children. Judith said: "We might take them away for a nice family break, maybe to the Lake District, because it is one of our favourite places."
Darren added: "It would be nice to get a bit of sunshine and we can do it now; without worrying. We've not been abroad for years, so maybe a trip to Paris as we've always said we'd go back."
The couple had travelled to Edinburgh to see Dick and Angel Strawbridge from 'Escape to the Chateau'.
Judith added: "The irony is we shouldn't even be in Edinburgh, we were originally going to book the show for London, so it's a bit of a fluke that we're here."
Darren, who works as a self-employed kitchen and bathroom fitter, added: "It's meant to be, its more than perfect. I could do this every week."
"As soon as we get back to the hotel, I'm having a gin and tonic, that's for sure. We've then got a restaurant booked before the show.", he added.
"And maybe a whisky bar after that.", Judith added.
When asked if Darren might buy something for himself, he said: "No, it'll be just be nice to treat the kids, something to make them smile."
Judith added: "Once they see how much it is, they'll be like, 'Bank of mum and dad, what are you giving us?'
The couple were one of two Bedlington neighbours to win the £30,000 prize.
The cash windfall comes after the Northumberland postcode, NE22 6NL, was announced as a winner with the lottery on Sunday 13th February.
The other winner chose to remain anonymous.
People's Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt presented the winner with his prize cheque and shared her congratulations to both winners.
She said: "I'm absolutely over the moon for our lucky winners in Bedlington! I hope they enjoy spending their winnings and celebrating today.
"As we usually knock on our winners' front door it was a lovely change of pace to be able to surprise £30k winner Darren and his wife Judith at our office in Edinburgh.
"It was a first for us and you could tell that it was a really special moment for the couple."
People's Postcode Lottery costs £10 a month to play and there are guaranteed winners every day. People play with their chosen postcode and are automatically entered into all draws.
Players of People's Postcode Lottery have helped raise over £850 million to date for thousands of good causes across Britain and internationally.
This draw was promoted on behalf of Postcode Planet Trust.
The Trust supports charities and good causes which support the environment, with a particular focus on wildlife, through regular grant funding. Supported charities include The Wildlife Trusts, African Parks and WWF.
