UK Woman Gives Away Half Her Lottery Fortune

Posted on: April 27, 2022, 05:45h. 

Last updated on: May 2, 2022, 02:34h.

Erik Gibbs Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Gaming Business, Global Gaming.

After winning millions of euros in the EuroMillions lottery in 2019, a UK woman has already given over half of it away, calling it her “addiction.”

Frances Connolly
Frances Connolly, seen in a photo above. The EuroMillions lottery is giving away a lot of the money she won. (Image: BBC)

Frances Connolly always knew that some day, she would win the lottery. She was so confident that she even made a list of who might receive stacks of cash if she did. In 2019, her dream came true after she and her husband, Paddy, won £115 million (US$144 million) in a EuroMillions draw in 2019.

Since then, Connolly has stuck to her plan. Friends and family received some money shortly after her win. But Connolly is giving most of the wins away to charity. She says that these philanthropic acts feed an “addiction.”

She is now reportedly up to around £60 million (US$75.29 million) in donations, according to media outlet Independent.ie.

Busting the Budget

Connolly, a former social worker and teacher, tried to set up a budget to distribute donations from her lottery winnings. But it’s been more difficult than she thought. After giving away the money, she began enjoying it more, and now states, “It gives you a buzz, and it’s addictive. I’m addicted to it now.”

She enjoys the feeling she gets from helping others. What started as an attempt to give people something to look forward to during the COVID-19 pandemic became her lifeline. Connolly admits that she has already given away what was set out in the budget to be donated through 2032.

Connolly, originally from Northern Ireland, set up two charitable foundations to help distribute the funds and raise more from others. One is named after her late mother, Kathleen Graham, and the other is the PFC Trust.

The latter is located in the English port town of Hartlepool. Here, the Connollys spent the past two decades building their lives. PFC Trust dedicates its efforts to young caregivers, the elderly, and refugees in the region. This past Saturday, the trust held a gala event, which raised £100,000 (US$125,480) for its cause.

Frugality a Virtue

The Connollys don’t live an extravagant lifestyle. They bought a large house on a huge lot as their biggest expense, with real estate always a smart investment. However, Frances, who manages the wealth and the charities while her husband operates his plastics business, still drives a second-hand car.

If you’re stupid before you get (rich), you’re going to be stupid afterwards. Money’s not going to make you sensible. Money liberates you to be the person that you want to be,” states Frances Connolly.

Connolly found her calling. She’s using the money to purchase mobile devices for the elderly so they can communicate with family. In addition, she finds employment solutions for local communities and more. To her, that is worth more than the multimillion-pound payday from the lottery.