The lives of Natalie and Andrew Cunliffe were transformed when they scooped £1 million on a scratchcard a decade ago – and now they help out with National Lottery charity projects
A couple who scooped £1 million on scratchcard a decade ago have been giving something back by helping with National Lottery charity projects
Natalie and Andrew Cunliffe’s win helped transform their lives, allowing them to renovate their dream home and giving them the time to raise their two children. But they have also donated their time to helping community groups and organisations which have benefited from Lottery funding.
This has included carrying out work at a children’s hospital, helping out at a hospice and serving afternoon tea for patients. They say the biggest benefits of the lotto win are not only the peace of mind that comes with it – but the time gained that can be used to give something back.
READ MORE: Lottery experts share ‘common mistakes’ that are stopping you from winningREAD MORE: Inside £1m Lotto winner’s Lego empire as he shows amazing Star Wars collection
Natalie said: “It’s crazy that it’s been 10 years. Winning £1 million doesn’t change you overnight, but it has given us time to raise our family. It’s given the children opportunities we didn’t have growing up.
“It has removed the financial pressures, it allows you to make choices about what matters. The biggest change is it gives you peace of mind.”
The former events manager at Blackpool Tower said the win allowed her to take a career break to bring up their children, aged seven and 12 – but now she has returned to work as a civil servant to “keep my brain ticking over”.
And she said they were proud to be able to volunteer on Lottery projects: “It gives you time to give something back. You can’t always help financially, but you can give time.”
The couple helped build a ‘gingerbread house’ at Zoe’s place in Liverpool for children to enjoy at Christmas.
She said: “It was a shed really, but we decorated it as a gingerbread house, made a sensory play area. It was amazing to meet the children that benefit from projects like that.”
Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, which supports babies and young children who have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, was recently facing financial difficulties – but was saved after a public appeal raised £7.5 million.
Natalie said: “We met the families that use it, it is an incredible place. It’s amazing that it’s been saved.”
The couple also volunteered at a bereavement centre at Liverpool’s Alder Hey children’s hospital, grabbing their spades to replant a garden area
Other projects they’ve been involved with are helping renovate a local boxing club in their home town of Blackpool and organising afternoon tea in the Tower Ballroom for patients and their families at the Trinity Hospice.
Natalie said: ‘All of these places have funding from the Lottery. When you look around at all the projects and organisations they help, it is impressive.
“You don’t realise just how many places benefit from Lottery funding, that’s why it’s important that people play. It’s a much bigger picture than just playing.”
