A fortunate National Lottery winner who pocketed a staggering £6.1 million fortune has turned to helping out at a local food bank. Bus driver Kevin Jones and his wife Michele Jones matched the winning numbers back in 2016, and their lives changed overnight. A decade later, Michele reveals that one of the greatest rewards of financial freedom has come from assisting people who might otherwise go hungry at her local food bank.
Volunteering at The Pantry
Michele joined the team at The Pantry @ Sandbach Hub four years ago, supporting individuals struggling with the cost of food and living expenses. She said: "I've always wanted to help other people, so I've got the opportunity now. My husband saw it advertised that they were looking for volunteers, and I've joined it from day one." The pantry provides low-cost food and support for residents while also connecting people with organizations that can offer advice and practical help.
Michele added that being part of the team has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her life: "It's an incredible team who do incredible things for people, and I feel privileged to be part of it. The satisfaction of seeing people not go hungry is tremendous."
Community Involvement
In addition to Michele's work at the pantry, the couple has collaborated with the National Lottery to volunteer on numerous community projects, including assisting at an arts group in Manchester earlier this year. Kevin, who was driving a bus route between Crewe and Newcastle-under-Lyme when he realized he had become a millionaire, recalled the moment: "I won the lot - £6m! I rang my boss up and I said: 'Can I get off the bus at Crewe; can you take me off the service because something important has happened?' He said: 'Go on.' And I told him I'd won the lottery!"
Despite the life-changing news, Kevin still completed his shift the morning after finding out. Michele explained: "He didn't want to let people down that were catching the bus to work." The couple spent the first night discussing how the win would change their lives and made helping their family a priority. They moved from Crewe to Sandbach to be closer to relatives and have enjoyed regular trips to the Canary Islands over the years.
Family First
Kevin emphasized that the greatest benefit of winning has been supporting family members and gaining freedom: "The first priority was to look after the family. We've secured their futures. They have no mortgages anymore. We all have to go to work, we have obligations to pay mortgages, bills, etc., and all that was suddenly removed. We had the freedom to go where we wanted, when we wanted."
Lotto Changes
Their story comes as Lotto undergoes its biggest overhaul since its launch. Operator Allwyn says changes to the game are expected to more than double the number of millionaires created each year. Every £2 Lotto line will give players two chances to win, for the same price and the same number of balls to choose from. This should increase the number of millionaires created each year from around 140 to about 345. It will also mean more money for good causes across the UK.
