A Polish train conductor who has lived in Britain for two decades is returning to his homeland after winning a £1.8 million prize package. Dawid Szulc, 39, from Crewe, won a fully furnished luxury mansion in Lancashire, a Land Rover Defender, and £25,000 in tax-free cash through a competition. However, instead of moving into the new home, he has already sold the 4x4 and put the house on the market to fund his dream relocation to Poland.
From Poland to the UK and back again
Szulc first arrived in the UK from south-west Poland in 2005 at the age of 18. After a brief return to Poland for university, he settled permanently in Britain in 2015. Despite building a life in the UK, his heart remained in Poland, and he always dreamed of returning to be closer to childhood friends and family.
He said: "My biggest dream was going back home. I've always wanted to move back to Poland at some point and be closer to my friends and family, but there was always something in the way. There was always the mortgage, work and all the responsibilities that come with everyday life. Then all of a sudden, with one phone call, it all became possible."
The life-changing phone call
The moment came while Szulc was relaxing in front of the TV. He noticed a string of missed calls and messages from Elite Competitions. After checking the replay of the live draw, he realised he had won the grand prize, sending him into complete shock.
"My life is going to be so much different. For the first time in such a long time, I feel very light. I feel like every single issue has suddenly disappeared. I feel such a relief, like a weight lifted off my shoulders," he said.
He celebrated the news until midnight with his partner, Kamila, and their eight-year-old daughter, Amelia. His parents in Poland were overjoyed, with his mother bursting into tears upon hearing the news.
Plans for the future
The family is already planning their next steps, starting with a two-week trip to Poznań in August, where Szulc will celebrate his 40th birthday. He hopes to complete the permanent relocation to Poland within the next couple of years.
The win has provided financial security for his daughter's future. Szulc reflected: "The financial security that I can provide means we can focus on things that make us happy, enjoy life, enjoy our family and just be there for each other. Whatever passion Amelia develops, I will always support it and invest in it. That's what matters."
