Our bus drivers’ syndicate won £38m on the lottery – but we still buy tickets and shop in Poundland

A DOZEN bus drivers who scooped a £38million jackpot still buy lottery tickets — and shop in Poundland. The syndicate bagged £3,169,553 each in March 2012 and quit their £17,000-a-year Stagecoach jobs together. Ten years on, dad of four John Noakes, 59, told how he had lived in Cyprus and Spain, splashed out on cars, […]

A DOZEN bus drivers who scooped a £38million jackpot still buy lottery tickets — and shop in Poundland.

The syndicate bagged £3,169,553 each in March 2012 and quit their £17,000-a-year Stagecoach jobs together.

Louis Wood - The Sun

The Lotto winning syndicate of bus drivers quit their jobs and say the win changed their lives[/caption]

Ten years on, dad of four John Noakes, 59, told how he had lived in Cyprus and Spain, splashed out on cars, a boat and six homes for family.

He said: “Nearly all my winnings have gone. But the less we have, the more comfortable we feel. I still play the game.

“I’ve had a few wins since but nothing to speak of.”

John said the pals were no longer in contact. He added: “It changed our lives but it’s caused hassle too.

Me and my wife were in Poundland and a shopper asked ‘What you doing here? You’ve got millions.’

“I shop where I feel comfortable and it’s not Harrods.”

Fellow winner Charlie Gillion, 74, has remained in Corby, Northants.

He said: “It’s not changed me — I wouldn’t let it.”

Also still in the ex-steelworks town are David Mead, 74, and Stephen Derrick, 73, and 60-year-old Charles Connor.

Chris Smith, 54, became an ambulance first responder but is thought to have left the job. Alex Robertson, 77, now lives in Spain.

John said Neil Taynton died in his late 70s.

The three remaining winners to go public are Ally Spence, 77, Jim Patton, 75, and Derek Wilson, 71.