Julie Thompson, Judith Bruyn jump for joy after winning Leader's free fuel competition

Julie Thompson was so sure she wasn't the lucky winner she filled up her brand-new Kia Sorento - only to get a phone call just hours later.

"I filled my car up on Wednesday morning and she rang at about 2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon," she said.

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"Thank goodness I was sitting down, because I would have fallen down.

"Couldn't believe it to be truthful, just could not believe it. I never win anything, hardly win a chook raffle, and to win $3000 it was like - my goodness."

It'll be the last tank of petrol Mrs Thompson, who works in the kitchen at the Tamworth hospital, pays for in months.

"I'll have to take some time off work to use all this petrol!"

She's been reading the Leader for 42 years.

Mrs Thompson said she'll use the $3000 of free petrol - or in her case, diesel - to travel to visit family in Brisbane and Port Macquarie. Once COVID-19 lockdowns are at an end, that is.

Childcare worker Judith Bruyn said it was a "lovely surprise" to win the award.

She's been a loyal reader for years, she said.

"It'd be just lovely. It was just a lovely surprise," she said.

"On my days off I'll be able to go a few more places that I didn't think I would be going."

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