Cabbies make a million
Monday 16th February 2009, 2:30PM GMT.
THESE are the happiest people in Guernsey today after winning £1m. in the Les Bourgs Hospice lottery.
There were joyous scenes at the airport yesterday as the syndicate of 30 winners met to celebrate their good fortune and pose for a Guernsey Press photograph.
The group is made up mainly of taxi drivers, their families and friends. They couldn’t believe it when Lt-Governor Sir Fabian Malbon pulled out the final ball to give the winning number of 1407.
About 200 people attended the draw and when a loud shriek followed the announcement of the final digit, everyone knew the winner was in the room.
The scream came from a friend sat next to fellow syndicate member Linda O’Meara who could not contain her excitement. Speaking after the draw, Mrs O’Meara said that each would receive just over £33,000 and that the win will make a huge difference to them all.
‘I cannot believe it,’ she said. ‘To actually be here when the numbers were called out is unbelievable.
‘I managed to stay quite calm, but my friend couldn’t help but scream when the last number was called.’
Mrs O’Meara got straight on the phone to cabbie Mark ‘Tiny’ Walters, who had organised the syndicate.
Mr Walters, who was working at the time the draw was made, arrived minutes later, visibly emotional.
The winning numbers were:
£1million – 1407
£50,000 – 5152
£25,000 – 4326
£15,000 – 2974
£10,000 – 1080
- If you – or a syndicate to which you belonged – won any of the prizes, the Guernsey Press would like to hear from you. Please email newsroom@guernsey-press.com with your contact details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
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Good, maybe the cost of taxi’s on the island will come down now :D
Congratulations!!
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I’m glad it went to a syndicate. Well done.
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It is great that the lottery was won by people who work hard for the money they earn. Yes taxis are expensive, but I don’t envy anyone who has to drive around all day on these roads and work the number of hours they work. I have known alot of taxi drivers who should be retired, but have to keep working to make ends meet. Lets hope they were part of the winners too.
Best wishes to you all.
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Knowing Tiny Walters myself. It could not have gone to a nicer man. Have a good time Tiny.
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Absolutely fantastic that’s the money has been won by a syndicate of “ordinary” people. In the current economic climate it warms your heart to hear of the good fortune of these lucky people. Here’s to the next one!
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Thats just great…half of Guernseys taxi drivers are now likely to retire….
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Great result – congratulations to them all!
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Great news, amid the doom and gloom, congratulations one and all.It is so nice it went to a syndicate.
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TINY my dearest old friend,my old chum,my old pal, REMEMBER ME ?
It’s great to hear of your wonderful news.
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer,friendly, generous guy who never forgot the Scout’s motto ‘ Always think of others before you think of yourself’.
With good behaviour I’ll be coming out soon so I’ll give you a bell and we can go over the good old days.
I can’t get over just how happy I am now that I’ve found you after all this time.
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Will – I doubt it – £33,000 isn’t quite enough to retire on here!
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Fantastic news. Congratulations to all members of the syndicate.
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1.1 million prize money; 380k to Les Bourgs. 20k to print 1500 tickets. Interesting.
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Does this mean they’ll get rid of those fuel charges now they’ve all got 30k bonuses AND the price of fuel has dropped too? Or would that just be silly.
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Well done RonB, there had to be one, and this time it’s you. Shame that you couldn’t just be happy for them like the other folk who have posted. Oh and by the way, feel free not to use a taxi if you don’t like the prices. It’s how buying and selling work, the vendor or supplier of the goods or service sets a price and if you are prepared to pay you buy and if you’re not prepared to pay you don’t.
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Lets have one every year.
Make it 50,000 tickets at £30 a ticket.
Keep it just a Guernsey draw and sell the tickets over a year with the draw at Christmas.
No more losing out to Jersey and something additional to the C.I. Christmas Draw.
Sounds good to me!
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I just hope that I don’t have to get too many early morning airport taxis in the next few weeks. No chance!!! On a serious note, well done boys – enjoy the money. A syndicate win is great.
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