A lucky 77 year old pensioner from South Shields has been left shocked after winning over £28,000 on the national bingo game at her local Mecca Bingo club. The lucky pensioner went on to say that “she went to pieces” when she found out just how much cash she had won from playing bingo, but she is now looking forwards to going on a celebratory night out with her family.

The lady is widowed and has two children of her own and three grandchildren. She spoke to the national gaming body after her win and although she asked for her name to be kept out of the press, she did give this quote. “I was wobbly and my hands were shaking when I won,” said the lady, “Staff at Mecca Bingo got me a drink to calm me down and somebody had to telephone my son to ask him to come and take me home. I used to play twice a week but after my husband died I went more often,” she said.  “It helped a lot. The nights are long if you’re sitting in on your own but when I play bingo I can go and have a chat with friends and feel better.”

Bingo has always been a very social game to play and it can be a lifeline for some people as it is an activity that is so much more than just a business. Friends are made and communities are brought together by the game of bingo, so it is no wonder that it has been said over 3 million people regularly play bingo in the UK.

The lady has been a member with Mecca Bingo since the club first opened and she now plays bingo four times a week. She won the national games jackpot prize by calling house in 43 numbers, which was the lowest call throughout all the participating bingo clubs. First she won the national bingo games jackpot of £26,095, plus the regional prize of £2,518 and the in house prize at Mecca Bingo of £48, this gave her total winnings of £28,661 for a night out at bingo.