Pictured L-R: Critical Care Paramedic Justin Carding, Lottery Winner Arlene Staten and HEMS Doctor Nigel Raghunath

A South Godstone grandmother has scooped a massive £25,000 in the Surrey Air Ambulance Superdraw.

 

Retired office manager Arlene Staten, 72, of Oaklands, only signed up to the life-saving charity's lottery in August.

 

She celebrated with a tipple of her favourite Chardonnay after her winning numbers - 16, 18, 22, and 24 - came up in last Wednesday's draw.

 

As she toasted her win, Arlene vowed to swap her 10-year-old Mazda Demio for a newer model and is also planning a family holiday to Cyprus in September.

 

The most she had ever won before was £150 in Premium Bonds and £10 on the National Lottery.

 

She said: "I've never won anything like this in my life and I didn't expect to win anything.

 

"I'm still in a state of shock, I really can't believe it. I'm still bemused by it all.  I woke up the next morning thinking it was a dream. I was absolutely numb.

 

"I immediately rang my daughters and they were shouting down the phone, asking me what I was going to do with the money.

 

"I told them, 'I don't know, I haven't got the money yet!', but I've been told I must treat myself."

 

She added: "It's funny because I usually go to Cyprus on holiday but the hotel where I stay is now charging about £6,000 a week.

 

"I told my family I could never go there again but now I can afford it!"

 

Arlene, who used to work at Rayners estate agents, picked her numbers from birthdays in her family and 22 was her late husband Geoff's favourite number.

 

The jackpot win was an early Mother's Day present for Arlene who has two daughters - Sue, 50, and Karen, 47. She also has two granddaughters - Sam, 25, and Steph, 22.

 

Arlene joined the Surrey Air Ambulance lottery after hearing how it costs £1.7m-a-year to keep their helicopter flying from its Dunsfold base near Cranleigh.

 

She said: "I just thought it was a tremendous idea. If I give money I like to think that it's going to a good cause and will make a little difference.

 

"It's my little way of supporting something that is so worthwhile. They save so many people, that was why I did it."

 

Last year, the lottery raised £845,000 for the charity, up from £703,000 in 2008, with almost 18,000 members.

 

Tickets cost just £1 a week for the regular lottery with 12 weekly winners of £25 to £1,000.

 

To be in with a chance of winning the super draw members have to pay an extra £1 a week. For more details click here.