Harlow gran's £63,000 bingo joy
20 May 2008

Double celebrations are in order for one Harlow woman, who has won more than £63,000 playing bingo - just six days before her 73rd birthday.

The lucky winner, who does not want to be named, was playing at the Mecca Club in Terminus Street, Harlow on Sunday, 11 May when good fortune struck.

She won the National Bingo Game prize of £60,340, plus the zone prize of £3,020 and the house prize of £140, having completed a full house in 36 numbers, the lowest call in any of the 470 clubs playing nationwide

“I have been playing bingo for well over 35 years, and £250 was my previous biggest win,” she said. “My husband and I are real regulars at the Mecca, playing four or five times a week.”

The couple have six sons and a daughter and five grandchildren. “They are all over the moon for us and say it is lovely to be able to do what we want with it at our age.

“We have always struggled with a large family to bring up. I used to go potato picking to get money for Christmas presents.”

“This money is a real luxury to us. I still can’t believe it has happened to me. I was back in the Club the following Friday and won another £100. I also played the next night on my birthday because I had free tickets and was given a bottle of bubbly, but I didn’t win again.”

Apart from treating the family, she said she had always wanted to visit Jamaica so an exotic holiday is on the cards.