Blazing win for fireman Phil

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A Dover firefighter sparked a massive celebration after he scooped almost £15,000 on the Air Ambulance Superdraw.

Father-of-two Phil Reeves, 49, thought it was a joke when wife Pauline called to tell him the good news.

The schools education officer won the jackpot with numbers 5, 8, 11 and 13 just four months after joining the charity’s lottery.

Phil is now planning to splash the cash on a family trip to Toronto, Florida, Disneyland and University Studios, to celebrate his 50^th birthday next year.

He said: “It was a pleasant surprise but I thought it was a wind-up at first. I think most people go into a lottery thinking someone has got to win it but it won’t be me.

“I support the air ambulance because I’ve worked with them on occasions and I have seen the terrific work they do and the chances of someone surviving because of the helicopter.

“My message to anyone thinking of joining would be to do it because the chances are they could win as well. You’ve got to be in it to win it as they say.”

Phil, from Whitfield, was due to join colleagues at a fire service display at the Kent Air Ambulance Open Day last month but was unable to attend.

A week later he was at the base to pick up his winnings with his wife and delighted kids Joe and Emma after picking his numbers from birthdays in his family.

As press officer Jamie Cheshire handed them their cheque for £14,901 and thanked them for their visit, Joe quipped: “No, thank you!”

Kent Air Ambulance, which needs £1.7m-a-year to keep the helicopter flying, has seen membership of its lottery swell to almost 30,000 since it began six years ago.

Lottery manager Lynne Mitchell said: “I’m delighted for Phil and hope he and his family enjoy their winnings.

“However, the real winners are those whose lives have been saved by our vital service.”

If you would like to join the Kent Air Ambulance lottery call 01622 833833 or visit www.kentairambulance.co.uk.