Corbieshot's Won the Lott

Can’t say Phair-er than that as community shares £2.2 million!

Summer officially arrived in East Edinburgh as residents in the Duddingston, Joppa and Jewel area of the city celebrated winning a huge £2.2 million prize pot. The fortune, shared by People’s Postcode Lottery players in the EH15 3 postcode area, saw hundreds of locals and ecstatic winners gather in the capital’s Jewel Park to celebrate the win.

X Factor favourite Stacey Solomon caused huge excitement when she took to the stage to perform an exclusive live set, but it was the revelation that two neighbours were to share over £800,000 between them that really stole the show.

A sharp intake of breath was followed by the news that two Corbieshot residents- 38 year old Paul Phair and 83 year old Rita Bunyan- had scooped a life changing £416,158 each.

The pair, who live in the full winning postcode of EH15 3RZ, each play with two tickets and received the largest amounts on the day.

Honeymoons and dream homes

It was welcome news for winner Paul and fiancé Gill, who can now begin married life in the utmost of style, and couldn’t hide their joy! The love birds are due to get married in just two weeks, seven years to the day after they first met. “We’re delighted” said Paul “We’re honeymooning in Mexico and it’s a fantastic start to married life. I’m utterly speechless.” He continued “I’ve no idea what we’ll spend the money on- maybe a new home, but I’m sure my wife-to-be will have lots of ideas!”

Stunned neighbour Rita was floored by the revelation, with son Peter joining his astounded mother to celebrate. As she held back the tears, the keen gardener admitted “I simply didn’t expect this…It’s a real shock to the system. I’ve always wanted to live in a bungalow, so I’d love to spend the money on my dream home. Of course, with two granddaughters I’ll have to spoil them too!”

The delighted pair couldn’t hide their shock as presenter Judie McCourt announced their good fortune. “I can safely say both Paul and Rita were flabbergasted to hear they’d won such a fantastic amount of money. Neither of them expected this!”

Over 120 locals shared the £2.2 million prize, with winners walking away with at least £2,959 and the average win totalling a huge £52,527.

Benefitting charities

Appearances by Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh and local Edinburgh songstress Carrie Mac gave the bash star-studded appeal, with Stacey’s performance the icing on the celebrity cake.
Local benefitting charities in the area include the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre at the Western General, CHILDREN 1ST’s South Edinburgh Family Support Team and Scottish Wildlife Trust ‘s Duddingston Loch. Over £5.8 million has been raised for charities in Scotland to date.