Tonypandy man learns of big lottery win via WhatsApp call from his hospital bed
Hospital Porter Barry White had been recovering from a serious illness
Last updated 23rd Sep 2023
A hospital porter from Tonypandy found out he’d won the lottery while recovering from a serious illness - in his own hospital.
Barry White, 52, had been rushed for treatment after falling ill with a flare-up of ulcerative colitis, an inflammation of the digestive system.
But he was left stunned when his partner Tracy Minton and the People’s Postcode Lottery team revealed his £333,333 cheque on a WhatsApp video call.
Poorly Barry – speaking from his hospital bed – said: “You can’t beat medicine like that.”
He shared the £1m jackpot with two neighbours in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, after CF40 2LL was revealed as the winner of Postcode Lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize.
But he struggled to take in the whopping windfall.
Barry, who suffered a stroke four years ago and has also undergone heart surgery, said: “Oh my God! Brilliant. I can’t believe it, it’s mad.
“It hasn’t really sunk in. I’m not feeling my best or looking my best.
“I haven’t really thought about what we can do with the money. It’s hard to think straight. I’m up to my eyeballs on strong antibiotics.
“But we’ll sort family and friends out.”
Partner Tracy, 52, broke down in tears and started shaking when she saw the cheque, then – still holding the phone while livestreaming Barry – she blurted out: “Are you serious?"
She had been frantic with worry for Barry after making a dash to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital with him days before.
Tracy, who also works in the hospital as a support worker in the endoscopy department, said: “I took him to the A&E. He was really unwell and not feeling like himself.
“They gave him intravenous steroids and he’s now on antibiotics.
“We had discussed what the amount might be before her went into hospital. But it was nothing like this. This is a life-changing opportunity.”
The divorced mum-of-two, who has been with Barry for five years, added: “This hasn’t sunk in yet for Barry..or me. I might upgrade the car though.”