Couple win lottery after near-death experiences

A couple who both nearly died within months of each other have won £333,333 on a lottery.

Rebecca Andrews, 46, and her husband, David Docherty, 70, were one of three ticket holders in Glentham, Lincolnshire, to share the £1m Postcode Lottery jackpot.

Earlier this year, Docherty spent weeks in intensive care after emergency surgery. Months later, Andrews was saved by paramedics at her home after suffering an allergic reaction to a hornet sting.

"You come through all the rubbish, and then sometimes something wonderful happens. This has given us hope again," Docherty said.

The couple said their lottery win felt like a "weird dream" and said the moment they received their winnings was "unbelievable".

Andrews said: "I lost my job in the NHS in January. David nearly died. Then I nearly died.

"It's just been really, really stressful, one thing after another. It's been that kind of year you don't wish on anybody."

Ambulance worker Docherty previously assisted British forces in Kosovo in the 1990s and helped orphaned and injured children during the conflict.

The couple said they planned to share their winnings with family and friends, as well as buying another kitten to add to their collection of animals, which includes horses, chickens, Elvis the cockerel, a cat and two cockatiels.

"My nephew is getting married in December and couldn't afford a honeymoon, so we'll help him," Andrews said.

"David's niece is getting married too, so we'll buy them a lovely wedding present.

"I just want to look after friends and family and see them happy."

Four Lincolnshire-based charities - the Lincolnshire Trust for Cats, Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, Rock Foundation and the Caistor Foodbank - have also been given a combined £200,000 by the Postcode Lottery.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices