20/03/2012
Bus Driver Syndicate Share Euromillions Win
A group of bus drivers from Northamptonshire who won Friday's Euromillions jackpot have collected their £38m cheque.
The 12 men, all employees of Stagecoach, have said the “life changing” win has come as they faced cuts at work.
Having played the same number since they began the syndicate three years ago they won a total of £38,034,639.70, which leaves them with just over £3,169,553 each.
"On Friday my partner checked half our numbers and I checked the other half," said Chris Smith, leader of the syndicate.
"She just passed the winning ticket over and paused the TV on the numbers.
"We kept looking at it and passing it between each other about four or five times. We couldn't really believe that they all matched."
"By 1am, my house was full of bus drivers and their partners all drinking tea," he said.
"It wasn't until the early hours that we realised it was just one winning ticket."
None of the men went to work the Saturday following the win and some have said they do not intend to go back.
The 11 members of the syndicate who arrived to collect their winnings are; Chris Smith, 34, John Noakes, 49, Stephen Derrick, 53, Dave Mead, 54, Charlie Gillion, 65, Jim Patton, 55, Neil Tayton, 58, Alex Robertson, 57, Ally Spence, 57, Charlie Connor, 40 and Derek Wilson, 51.
The 12th winner did not want publicity.
(H)
The 12 men, all employees of Stagecoach, have said the “life changing” win has come as they faced cuts at work.
Having played the same number since they began the syndicate three years ago they won a total of £38,034,639.70, which leaves them with just over £3,169,553 each.
"On Friday my partner checked half our numbers and I checked the other half," said Chris Smith, leader of the syndicate.
"She just passed the winning ticket over and paused the TV on the numbers.
"We kept looking at it and passing it between each other about four or five times. We couldn't really believe that they all matched."
"By 1am, my house was full of bus drivers and their partners all drinking tea," he said.
"It wasn't until the early hours that we realised it was just one winning ticket."
None of the men went to work the Saturday following the win and some have said they do not intend to go back.
The 11 members of the syndicate who arrived to collect their winnings are; Chris Smith, 34, John Noakes, 49, Stephen Derrick, 53, Dave Mead, 54, Charlie Gillion, 65, Jim Patton, 55, Neil Tayton, 58, Alex Robertson, 57, Ally Spence, 57, Charlie Connor, 40 and Derek Wilson, 51.
The 12th winner did not want publicity.
(H)
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