Mum who lost twins to pursue nursing dream after lottery win

An NHS support worker who lost twin boys in childbirth has said she can now follow her ambition to be a paediatric nurse thanks to a lottery windfall.

Rachel Lee, from Greater Manchester, said she was "heartbroken" after losing her two sons six years ago.

She said the ordeal left her wanting to "do something with my career after everything I've been through".

Mrs Lee will study a master's nursing degree after winning more than £405,000 on the People's Postcode Lottery.

The 33-year-old, from Dukinfield in Tameside, previously worked in a nursery before becoming an NHS children's complex needs support worker.

"When I got the job with the NHS, I knew exactly what I wanted to do," she said.

"I want to be a paediatric nurse and I want to look after poorly children."

Her husband John said: "It has a lot to do with losing our twin boys and she's always wanted to give something back - to work with kids and families like that.

"It's taken a bit of time because it was still so close and tender.

"But she's a lot happier and now she can go and fulfil that properly."

The couple said they were also planning to buy a mobility car for Mrs Lee's stepfather, who had his legs amputated following medical complications and needs 24-hour care.

And they want to buy a house and take a long-awaited honeymoon.

Local family support charity Home-Start HOST was also given £75,000 by the Postcode Community Trust.

Chief executive Sarah Cook said the funding came "at a critical time and will enable us to continue to provide the high level of support our volunteers deliver".

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