UK Lottery Victorias Aid Infant Organization's Endeavors
Winning the lottery's sweet, but helping others? Now that's the real jackpot! The BBC chatted with several lottery champions who underscored the importance of giving back.
A Trio of Heroes Boost Baby Basics
The BBC connected with a handful of lucky winners who lent a helping hand to Baby Basics, a Lowestoft-based charity that supplies essentials like toiletries, garments, and playthings to families in need. These beneficiaries joined forces with the non-profit, aiding its volunteers in sewing washbags and filling the essential kits.
Among the noble souls were Daniel Peart, 33, and Charlotte Peart, 34, who scored a cool £1 million in 2019. They openly admitted that the lottery windfall made their life oh-so-comfortable, enabling them to indulge in luxuries previously out of reach.
Now, the Pearts aspire to make a difference, focusing on helping new moms who're about to deliver their bundle of joy. Baby Basics' kits help these soon-to-be mamas worry about "one less thing," as per Charlotte Peart.
Christine Howlett, 63, and Graham Howlett, 66, from Lowestoft, are another duo eager to spread the love. The couple banked a hefty £2.2 million 19 years ago and managed to retire early while buying homes for both their daughters, thanks to the lottery luck. Mr. Howlett expressed relief at having financial stress off his plate.
More Winners Chip in
The BBC also met Craig Harrison, 61, another Lowestoft local who won £100,000 monthly for a year from a National Lottery scratchcard. To keep his feet on the ground, he chose to keep working at The Jolly Sailors in Pakefield.
Harrison also expressed a desire to help Baby Basics out, sharing that such activities were new territory for him. Despite the learning curve, he was happy to lend a hand and back the charity's efforts.
Tracy Field, 56, from Benfleet, joined the list of winners who stepped up. She took home a whopping £2.5 million in 2008, shortly after wrapping up her breast cancer treatment. She was thrilled at the prospect of not having to work anymore and spending more time with her children.
Field considered Baby Basics' work deeply fulfilling, as it gave her an opportunity to give back to those who needed it the most.
According to Judith Goddard, co-founder of Baby Basics, the charity's services are crucial due to the high cost of living. She expressed gratitude for the genuine supporters but regretted that they were needed at all.
- The trio of Daniel, Charlotte Peart, and Baby Basics charity collaborated to supply essentials to families in need.
- Daniel Peart, a winner of £1 million, admitted that the lottery windfall improved his lifestyle.
- Charlotte Peart focuses on helping new moms with Baby Basics' kits, alleviating their concerns.
- Christine Howlett, along with her husband Graham, retired early and bought homes for their daughters after winning £2.2 million.
- Graham Howlett was grateful to the lottery for eradicating financial stress.
- Craig Harrison, a winner of £100,000 monthly for a year, continues working at The Jolly Sailors.
- Harrison has expressed a desire to help Baby Basics and initially faced a learning curve.
- Tracy Field, a winner of £2.5 million after breast cancer treatment, cherishes her newfound freedom and time with children.
- Field found Baby Basics' work deeply satisfying, as it allowed her to give back to those in need.
- Judith Goddard, co-founder of Baby Basics, emphasizes the importance of the charity's services due to high living costs.
- Goddard expressed gratitude for the genuine supporters but lamented that they were needed at all.
- Lottery winners are continually underscoring the importance of giving back to their communities.
- Stone-heartedness and gloating are not common traits among lottery winners.
- Winners often seek to invest their winnings in various aspects of life, like fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden.
- Relationships in a winner's life typically undergo changes, but the essence of love remains the same.
- Pets, like cats and dogs, receive better care and attention as winners are able to afford pet-related expenses.
- Travel experiences broaden the horizons of winners, inspiring them to explore different cultures and locations.
- Cars, particularly luxury models, become a common sight in a winner's driveway.
- Books, educational materials, and self-development resources often find a prominent place in a winner's library.
- Personal growth and self-improvement become priorities for winners.
- Big-wins in lotteries can lead to substantial donations towards charities, supporting various causes.
- Shopping sprees are frequent among winners, attracting attention on social media.
- Movies-and-TV and entertainment dominate the leisure activities of winners.
- Career development flourishes with increased financial stability and resources.
- Casino-and-gambling, both online and in Las Vegas, become popular pastimes for some winners.
- Gambling trends develop as more people seek out new ways to use their newfound wealth.
- Celebrities and their lifestyles become more aspirational to ordinary people.
- Politics and sports become hot topics of conversation among winners, particularly sports-betting, European leagues, and premier-league games.
