Our bus drivers’ syndicate won £38m on the lottery – but we still buy tickets and shop in Poundland
A DOZEN bus drivers who scooped a £38million jackpot still buy lottery tickets — and shop in Poundland.
The syndicate bagged £3,169,553 each in March 2012 and quit their £17,000-a-year Stagecoach jobs together.
Ten years on, dad of four John Noakes, 59, told how he had lived in Cyprus and Spain, splashed out on cars, a boat and six homes for family.
He said: “Nearly all my winnings have gone. But the less we have, the more comfortable we feel. I still play the game.
"I’ve had a few wins since but nothing to speak of.”
John said the pals were no longer in contact. He added: “It changed our lives but it’s caused hassle too.
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Me and my wife were in Poundland and a shopper asked ‘What you doing here? You’ve got millions.’
“I shop where I feel comfortable and it’s not Harrods.”
Fellow winner Charlie Gillion, 74, has remained in Corby, Northants.
He said: “It’s not changed me — I wouldn’t let it.”
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Also still in the ex-steelworks town are David Mead, 74, and Stephen Derrick, 73, and 60-year-old Charles Connor.
Chris Smith, 54, became an ambulance first responder but is thought to have left the job. Alex Robertson, 77, now lives in Spain.
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John said Neil Taynton died in his late 70s.
The three remaining winners to go public are Ally Spence, 77, Jim Patton, 75, and Derek Wilson, 71.