Kevin and Michele Jones won the massive prize back in May 2016
Credit: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments
NEED TO KNOW
- A couple won a massive $8 million lottery prize in May 2016
- In the 10 years since, Kevin and Michele Jones have continued to use the money to give back to their local community
- The pair also use their earnings to travel, as well as pay off family members’ mortgages and bills
Ten years ago, everything changed for one couple when they won big in the lottery, winning more than $8 million. Since then, they've continued to give back to their local community.
The massive prize allowed Kevin and Michele Jones to better their own lives, and it also gave them the opportunity to lend support to others nearby.
In May 2016, the six numbers on Kevin's Lotto ticket matched those of the jackpot draw perfectly. After running his ticket through an online checker, and Michele calling the lottery operator to confirm their luck, the couple was ecstatic.
The win felt especially meaningful given that the couple, from Cheshire, England. had experienced a double break-in of their home while living abroad in Spain several years prior.
“It is just amazing that this has happened,” Kevin said in a press release at the time of his win. “To think we had nothing and were working around the clock and now we have this — we really can now start to live the life of our dreams, something we never believed would happen to us.”
Credit: Courtesy of Allwyn
The lucky break allowed Kevin to quit his job as a bus driver. (He still worked his shift the morning following his win.)
Michele, meanwhile, who had worked as a classroom assistant, also left her line of work.
And even though the jackpot freed them from working their day-to-day jobs, the couple still wanted to make sure they could also give back to their community.
In the 10 years since, Kevin and Michelle have volunteered their time and given money to The Pantry @ Sandbach Hub, a volunteer-run food bank that supports over 50 families throughout South Cheshire each week.
“Winning the lottery has bought us more time than anything — the time to dedicate and support important charities like [the pantry], which do so much for the local community,” Michele said in a prior press release.
She also told the BBC in June that she has been on the team at the food bank for four years. “My husband saw it advertised that they were looking for volunteers, and I've joined it from day one.”
"It's an incredible team [that does] incredible things for people, and I feel privileged to be part of it," Michele added. "The satisfaction of seeing people not go hungry is tremendous."
The Pantry @ Sandbach Hub was founded in October 2022 by the Churches of Sandbach to “provide help to those who are struggling most with the cost of food in the Sandbach and Haslington areas by providing discounted non-perishable food in a friendly and warm environment,” according to the organization's website.
Kevin and Michele provide essential items such as food, toiletries, books and toys to the food bank.
Credit: Courtesy of Allwyn
In addition to their acts of goodwill, the win has allowed Kevin and Michele to enjoy their own lives to the fullest.
As parents and grandparents, they first prioritized their family's financial security by paying off mortgages and bills. The couple also moved from the town of Crewe to Sandbach with their winnings to be closer to relatives.
They have since taken several trips to the Canary Islands, according to the BBC.
“We all have to go to work, we have obligations to pay mortgages, bills, etc, and all that was suddenly removed,” Kevin told the BBC. "We had the freedom to go where we wanted, when we wanted."
Michele added: “I've always wanted to help other people, so I've got the opportunity now."
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