Honorata Jamrozik, a 48-year-old foster carer from Dartford, Kent, won a tax-free £1 million prize in the Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw and astonished everyone by immediately gifting £5,000 to her neighbour so their family could take their first ever trip abroad.
First Act of Generosity
Rather than spending the windfall on herself, Jamrozik's instinct was to support a local family. She gave the money to her neighbours of 14 years, enabling their children to travel overseas for the first time. The neighbours were stunned by the gesture.
Polish-born Jamrozik, who has lived in the UK for 25 years, had tragically lost her father just two weeks earlier and had only returned from his funeral when she learned she had won. She said: "It's a life-changing prize for us, but also for our friends and family, now we can help make life easier for our loved ones and that is the best feeling in the world."
Belief It Was a Gift from Her Father
Jamrozik, still mourning her father's passing, is adamant he orchestrated the win from beyond. She said: "My father was an amazing man, it's been very hard saying goodbye, he will be so missed - my mum and dad were married for 50 years. He'll always be the angel sitting on my shoulder, and I know it was him who sent this gift to me."
She had devoted seven years to fostering children before being forced to step away to care for her ageing parents in Poland, which required frequent travel between the two countries. The win will allow her to return to fostering.
Return to Fostering
Jamrozik added: "I just wanted to change the lives of kids who haven't had an easy start in life. I'm blessed that I was able to help children of all ages find a better future. I absolutely love fostering - and this win means I can carry on doing what I love. Winning just makes everything so much easier."
The mother of two won the £1 million prize as part of her £15 monthly subscription. Her husband of nearly 20 years, Dino, 48, who works in IT, had no idea she had been entering and always joked about their luck. Jamrozik said: "My husband always joked I had more chance of being struck by lightning than winning a million pounds, but now I have, I guess I better be extra careful next time there's a storm outside."
The Moment of Winning
Jamrozik was at home cooking a curry and waiting for her children, aged 15 and 14, to return from school when Omaze called to reveal her win. She recalled: "It was just an ordinary day when Omaze called to say I'd won something, I didn't even bother to get changed as I never imagined it would be something so huge. When I saw it was a million pounds I just screamed. I'll never forget that moment for as long as I live."
Beyond the neighbourly gift, the couple plan an unforgettable trip for their 20th wedding anniversary in October. Jamrozik said: "We can afford to do something really special for our 20th anniversary now - go on a big family holiday somewhere lovely, I've already started planning! We will take my mother as she deserves a break more than anyone, I'm so happy we can enjoy this win together."
Omaze's Impact
The Omaze Monthly Millionaire Draw guarantees one UK resident a tax-free £1 million prize each month. Since its 2020 launch, Omaze has raised over £140 million for UK charity partners. Matt Pohlson, CEO and Founder of Omaze, said: "To win £1 million just weeks after losing her father, and for her very first act to be sending her neighbours on a dream holiday, tells you everything about Honorata. It's fantastic that she's able to help the people around her in a way she never imagined before, as well as return to the fostering work that means so much to her. Everyone at Omaze is absolutely thrilled for her."
