How Lottery Winners Spend Money in Unusual Ways
Last Updated: Thursday 24th September 2020, 14:18
The Lotto jackpot for Wednesday 26th August will be an estimated £4.3 million after Saturday’s rollover, and fans everywhere will be dreaming of what they might do if they strike it lucky and land one of the big prizes. Many lottery winners like to pay off their mortgages, move into a new home, buy a flash new car or go on some great holidays, but some players have more unusual ideas.
Usually, jackpot winners or those who scoop other large sums of money have lots of cash left over after they have taken steps to sort out their financial security, and they can then fulfil one or two of their less traditional desires. Alan Rowley, who won £1.9 million on a Lucky Dip seven years ago, has this week revealed that he spent £20,000 on a weather station. He told the Nottingham Post: “I always had a passing interest in the weather like most people have, I just had the idea of being able to record it so I can plan ahead.” Alan has also donated money to a local animal sanctuary, as well as offering the use of some of his land to help accommodate some of the 300 creatures who call the rescue centre home.
Passionate football fans Lee and Sue Mullen invested £50,000 into local club Grimsby Town after winning £4.8 million on EuroMillions in 2011. Chris and Colin Weir, who landed a staggering £161 million on EuroMillions, donated a seven-figure sum to the Scottish National Party in support of the campaign for Scottish independence. However it’s not just UK winners who make headlines with their spending habits, with John Kutey from Albany in New York giving away $200,000 for a water park to be built in his home town after bagging $28.7 on Mega Millions as part of a syndicate.
Of course, not all purchases are quite so extravagant. Back in June, Jane Lewis won £4.3 million on Lotto and immediately rushed out to buy the pair of slippers she had set her sights on in her local Marks and Spencer. There are lots of fun ways to spend your money if you win, but you will need a ticket to have a chance of getting a prize, and entries can be made online or by visiting authorised retailers. Good luck!
