Dukinfield lottery winner wants to give back in boys' memory

An NHS support worker wants to give back in memory of her twin boys after winning more than £405,000 six years on from their deaths.

Rachel Lee has vowed to help others by becoming a paediatric nurse after the loss of her baby boys.

Ms Lee, 33, and husband John, 37, broke down in tears after she won the largest share of a £1m jackpot on the People's Postcode Lottery.

She said: "We're used to picking up the phone to bad news."

Ms Lee won almost half of the lottery's weekly Millionaire Street prize when her postcode in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, was announced as the winner on Saturday.

The couple lost their twin sons - who they named Reggie and Ronnie - during childbirth in 2018 and Ms Lee's life was also in danger after she contracted sepsis.

She said: "They sacrificed themselves for me. It's heartbreaking that it happened, but in a way, I'm here to keep them alive.

"We got told that if I hadn't given birth when I did, I would have had 24 hours to live and would have died as well."

Ms Lee, who works as an NHS children's complex needs support worker in Tameside and Glossop, said the winnings would allow her to pursue a job as a paediatric nurse.

Her husband, who works for a fire alarm company, 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 like that and families like that.

"It's taken a bit of time because it was still so close and tender. But just to see the change in Rachel since she's worked there and been doing that.

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

Ms Lee also plans to buy a Life for a Life tree in memory of her twins.

Ms Lee's stepfather Mike also had both his legs amputated after medical complications which has left him needing 24-hour care, and she now plans on buying him a mobility car.

The couple are also looking at buying a new house and taking a long-awaited honeymoon.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X, and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]