Martin McBride, 58, Mark Pearce, and a third person, who live in a high-rise block in the town, each scooped £333,333 after their postcode, CM20 3QT, won the People’s Postcode Lottery’s weekly Millionaire Street prize.
Truck driver Martin – who made his home in the town after being brought up in Loughguile, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland – said: “People like me don’t win anything much.
“You spend, take a chance and keep going.
“I’m shocked, absolutely stunned, amazed… and relieved.”
The techno superfan performed some dance moves with lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson when the cheque was handed over.
He plans to put his winnings towards concert tickets and holidays, including a rave in London next month and Amsterdam’s ‘Don’t Let Daddy Know’ event in March, the Rong Open Air Festival in Malta, London’s Silverworks Island in July and the Clubland Weekender in Blackpool in October.
He said: “I intend to do as many concerts as I can in the next year.
“I’m already going to at least five, now I’ll have a few more.”
Mr Pearce, a father-of-two living five floors below Mr McBride, said he was in disbelief when he received the news.
He said: “For £1m to land in this tower block, that’s nuts!”
The win comes almost two years after another Harlow postcode, CM18 6QT, landed the same prize, with 11 neighbours sharing £1 million in December 2023.
Mark, a computer operator, is considering a getaway with his share.
He said: “I’m going to go on holiday.
“I fancy Malta.
“I saw it on the TV last night and I like a bit of history.
“There are so many things that I could do with this sort of money.
“It’s unbelievable.”
Mr Pearce, a vintage car enthusiast, also hopes to buy a 1960s MG C roadster.
He said: “I’ve always fancied an MG C sports car.
“I could get one for about £20,000 plus.
“It’s not too much… I don’t want a Ferrari.”
He added: “I’ll take some time to think about what I want to do. But it’ll be a nice Christmas for the family.”
An unnamed third resident also received a cheque for £333,333.
Postcode Lottery wins mean local charities benefit too.
Harlow-based Michael Roberts Charitable Trust (MRCT), has been awarded £40,000.
The charity – which received funding from players two years ago – supports vulnerable people experiencing poverty by empowering them with tools to develop their own potential and self-confidence.
They also run the Harlow Foodbank as well as the Bounty Club, which puts fresh food on the table at a reduced cost for those in financial hardship. Both services help over 6,000 families every year and save 300 tonnes of food from going to landfill.
Andy Thornton, chief executive officer at Michael Roberts Charitable Trust, said: “MRCT are thrilled to have become recipients of funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
“Our work supports over 5,000 people around Harlow each year, enabling them to have the necessary items they need to stay afloat when times are hard.
“Through our foodbank, Community Supermarket, Bump to Five kids’ essentials project and Maybury Open Door drop-in, we give practical items that stops kids from losing out and adults from losing hope.”
He added: “We will continue to offer a happy place for Harlow neighbours and do it even better thanks to support from players.”
