The couple who scooped the jackpot in 2019 revealed why they have decided to give away half of their millions.
56-year-old Patrick Connolly and his wife Frances, 54, from England won £114.9million Euromillions on New Year’s Day.
They celebrated with a warm hug and a cup of tea before creating a list of 50 friends and family that they wanted to help with their winnings. Their helping hands eventually extended to those who are in need.
In an interview with FEMAIL, Frances said: “I didn’t set out to give half away, that’s just what happened. We sat down and looked and the list and kind of figured out what we thought would make a difference in people’s lives.”
Patrick and Frances received more than 300 thank you cards from people they have never met.
“There are cards from a 14-year-old and one from an 85-year-old who both received tablets to keep in touch during the lockdown. The cards are each a reminder of the power of the lottery and how it has changed not only our lives – but other people’s too.”
“I have had more joy from changing lives than buying jewellery,” Frances shared. “I knew from the start that I’d never become part of the jet set.
“I set my heart on buying a bungalow after our win. But the estate agent turned up with a brochure of a castle. I couldn’t believe it.
“The second house he showed us was so huge it came with an entire village. But we didn’t want to be lord and lady of the manor – we just wanted a comfortable home.
“In the end, we went to see just two houses. This was the second, and it felt like home immediately.”
Speaking about her winnings, Frances said they couldn’t comprehend how much money they had won at that time.
“You can’t conceive it. A normal person has no idea what that is, I don’t care what you say,” she expressed. “It’s just, it doesn’t mean anything at that moment when you realise that you could’ve actually won.”
Despite getting such a huge amount of money, the couple had always planned to give some to good causes.
So far, they have given away half of their winnings to their family, friend, and good causes.
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