A Scots war aid hero has scooped a £333,000 Postcode Lottery jackpot just months after cheating death. David Docherty, 70, from Glasgow, and wife Rebecca Andrews, 46, banked a third of a £1 million jackpot after what they describe as the darkest year of their lives.
From war hero to lottery winner
The couple, who now live in Glentham, Lincolnshire, won the Postcode Lottery's Millionaire Street prize alongside their neighbours. Dad-of-one David earned the nickname the "White Knight of Croatia" after dedicating much of his life to helping child victims of the Balkans war.
The incredible windfall came just months after he survived life-threatening internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery. Speaking of his win, he said: "You've got to keep going. You come through all the rubbish, and then sometimes something wonderful happens. I've always believed if you try to do the right thing, good things can happen."
Darkest year of their lives
The couple celebrated as they told how their remarkable win had come at the right time, after the darkest year of their lives. David suffered repeated catastrophic internal bleeds caused by chronic diverticulitis in his colon. The former NHS worker lost two stone after undergoing surgery. He admitted he believed he was dying while he spent five weeks in intensive care.
While he was in hospital, tragedy struck again when Rebecca, who had been made redundant from her NHS job, suffered a devastating anaphylactic reaction after being stung by a hornet at their home. Rebecca said: "David nearly died. Then I nearly died. I lost my job in January. It's just been one thing after another. It's been that kind of year you don't wish on anybody."
Plans for the win
Despite now winning a life-changing sum, the couple say little will change - but they'll be able to help out their families. Rebecca said: "I'm going to share it with my friends and family. I just want to look after people and see them happy." David added: "Rebecca won't tell you the things she does for disadvantaged children, but she's a powerhouse. We both quietly try to help people. That's what makes us who we are."
They also hope to return to Croatia, where David made lifelong friends with families devastated by the aftermath of the Balkan conflict who he helped almost three decades ago. He moved to Croatia in the late 1990s to support British forces as a civilian facilities manager. However, every weekend in his spare time, he would hire a car and drive into bomb-scarred villages searching for people who needed help. His efforts led him to a children's institution caring for around 150 youngsters whose lives had been shattered by war. David arrived carrying teddy bears, chocolate and essential supplies bought with his own money. He said: "I just looked around and thought there must be somebody who needs a hand."
His dedication inspired around 100 British servicemen to give up their weekends delivering food, clothing, toys and support to vulnerable children and families. The extraordinary humanitarian effort earned him the unforgettable title "The White Knight of Croatia" from grateful locals and the Croatian media. David added: "The last time we were in Croatia was before the pandemic. I made some lifelong friends over there and now they're Rebecca's friends too as she's been across a few times with me. When you've seen war and what ordinary people go through, it changes your outlook on life."
