By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-29 18:56:00 | Updated at 2025-01-01 17:30:13
2 days ago
A Merseyside couple who won £60,000 in the Postcode Lottery never got to spend their winnings before tragedy struck, leading to both their deaths within five months of each other.
Jean and Brian Davies, both 82 at the time, were overjoyed when they won the draw just two months after registering in October 2018.
But their dreams of home improvements and a better life were shattered by a series of devastating events, including Brian's declining health and their son's death.
Jean's grandson Paul had helped her register for the lottery online, accidentally clicking the 'register' button twice - a mistake that would double their eventual winnings.
The celebration extended beyond their household, as nine of their neighbours had also won substantial amounts (Stock Image)
Postcode Lottery Website
When Paul offered to cancel and re-register correctly, Jean told him not to worry about it.
At the time, several of Jean's neighbours also played the Postcode Lottery, though none had won anything significant.
Just two months after registering, Jean received an unexpected email announcing she'd won the Christmas draw, though the amount remained a mystery.
"Mum and Dad had never won anything before so it was a big surprise for them," said their daughter Gillian.
When the lottery team knocked on their door, Jean invited them into the home she and Brian had shared for 40 years.
Inside, they revealed Jean had won £60,000 - double what she would have won with a single registration.
"Mum and Dad couldn't believe it," said Gillian. "We'd all gone over to the house that day as we knew the team were coming."
"After they told us how much it was, we were whooping for joy and dancing around the living room."
The celebration extended beyond their household, as nine of their neighbours had also won substantial amounts.
The Davies immediately banked their winnings and began planning how to spend their newfound fortune, with their primary focus on improving their adapted bungalow.
"When Mum won the money, she planned to get more adaptions in the bungalow such as wooden flooring, a new kitchen and a new bathroom suite. She was excited about sprucing up the house," Gillian explained.
However, these home improvement dreams would never materialise, as the family would soon face a series of devastating setbacks that would change everything.
Brian was moved to Madison Court care home
Google Maps
Shortly after their win, Brian suffered a fall, followed by several more in the subsequent months, while his cognitive function began to deteriorate.
During this difficult period, their youngest child and only son, Brian Jr, was diagnosed with throat cancer at age 52.
The family's focus shifted entirely to caring for both Brians, with all renovation plans put on hold.
Brian Jr sadly passed away on August 8, 2020 and in November 2021, Brian was moved to Madison Court care home in St. Helen's, Merseyside, where Covid restrictions prevented Jean from visiting her husband.
The care home implemented strict visiting regulations - just half an hour per week - from December 2020 until February 2021.
"There were strict visiting regulations and this just broke my beautiful mum," Gillian said.
Jean passed away, "broken-hearted," on June 5, 2022.
Brian died on November 1, 2022, following what Gillian described as "months of the most horrendous neglect and abuse."
Gillian continues to fight for justice for her parents, having already spent £23,000 in legal costs.
"What happened to my dad in that care home is a whole separate story - one I'm still trying to piece together," she said.
