Balloch grandad survives two near-death experiences before winning big in the lottery with his neighbors.
In October 2023, doctors revived Tommy after complications arose during a minor surgery, leading them to put him into a coma. Last December, a bus hit Tommy, a retired ranger, near Loch Lomond, resulting in a broken knee and wrist.
Tommy held his prize money with his arm in a sling, shocked and happy about the win. He celebrated a lot, emphasizing that sharing the win made it even better, as neighbors also benefited from the draw.
Tommy and his wife Maureen celebrated with neighbors from Balloch, whose postcode, G83 8SY, won the £1m Millionaire Street prize in the draw on February 15. Tommy, an amateur sailor, feels optimistic after having survived some tragedies.
A watch, a sixtieth birthday gift from his son, saved Tommy’s arm from serious injury during the bus accident. The metal watch absorbed the force of the impact; Tommy joked that he argued with a bus.
He was crossing the street, believing it was clear, when a bus suddenly appeared and knocked him over. He flew through the air and landed on a kerb, using judo skills to break his fall, knowing that hitting a pole would be fatal.
He remembered seeing the bus and trying to retreat, stating that the watch saved his hand. Doctors estimate a six-month recovery period, and many find it unbelievable that he survived, attributing his fitness as a contributing factor.
Tommy went to the hospital, noting the smashed bus windscreen. He felt broken and the shock set in. Doctors inserted a plate in his wrist, and one joked about giving him a spare to make into a keyring. Tommy considers it all history now, looking forward to a full recovery.
Tommy recounted a previous incident where doctors saved him after a simple operation to remove glands from his neck went wrong. A tube down his throat suffocated him, causing him to die. Doctors spent three hours reviving him before placing him in a coma for ten hours. Upon waking, he was greeted by his family and inquired about their presence. He hopes things improve now, recalling breaking his back and wrist while playing rugby in the past.
Tommy joked that Maureen fears what comes next and has ordered bubble wrap from Amazon. The couple plans to use the winnings for some nice things, considering a new car, a holiday, or helping their family. Tommy prefers a car with automatic gears for a change, while Maureen would like a trip to a Greek island or Turkey, seeking a destination not too far away.
Aileen Suter, 64, who lives across the street, views the win as her ‘fun fund’ and intends to complete her bucket list, for herself and in memory of her late husband, Tommy. Aileen plans to travel to Australasia and Glastonbury, as well as spoil her family, finding the experience bittersweet without her soulmate. Aileen said the winnings are unbelievable and that she is putting the winnings into her fun fund.
Tommy and Aileen had dreamt of visiting Australia, particularly the Great Barrier Reef and French Polynesia, which she now plans to tick off her list. Aileen’s husband Tommy passed away last January at age 66, after 41 years of marriage, following a cancer diagnosis less than a year before his retirement in September.
Aileen met Tommy when she was 17. She feels he is watching over her, watching over their family, as he was her soulmate and fabulous. Aileen has a son, a daughter, grandkids, and a great-grandchild. She isn’t slowing down, and looking at diving again. She did it in Cyprus and loved it, and the Great Barrier Reef sounds fantastic.
Tommy and Aileen spoke about Glastonbury, and they went to T in the Park at Balado yearly, which they greatly enjoyed. Before her travels, she will treat her family, who supported her through the horrible past years. She said they are the best, and will share the winnings with them, and told her to call them anytime.
Other winners include Catherine Curran, 68, and her husband Paul, 62; Catherine’s brother Alex Giles, 66, and his wife Kay, 63; and Robin Crawford, 68, and his wife Fiona, 66. Players of the Postcode Lottery have raised over £1.4 billion, which goes to charities and local good causes.