The news these days is often depressing at worst and frustrating at best. It’s easy to let it get us down. Never fear… The News Blender has you covered. Once a week we feature Something Good and, in return, all you have to do is tell us something good that has happened to you this week, something you are thankful for, a joke, a cute animal story, an inspiring tale of heroics, a Random Act of Kindness… SOMETHING good.
Today’s something good is generosity.
Frances Connolly and her husband Patrick won the Euromillions lottery in 2019, according to the BBC. The Northern Ireland couple won a staggering £115 million and, while Frances and her husband agreed to a charity budget, she hasn’t exactly kept to it. The 55 year-old has already spent the amount they allotted up to 2032 – about £60 million. She laughingly says she hasn’t kept a record of exactly how much, worried about what Patrick might say if he found out.
Straight away, they gave money to family and friends, as most people would with that kind of money. They splurged on a six bedroom house on seven acres and Patrick bought a used Aston Martin. But Patrick still runs his business and Frances scoffs at the idea of buying yachts and expensive champagne.
When asked why she has given away so much of her winnings, she said, “Why wouldn’t you? I’ve done that all my life. I’d have been a millionaire anyway if I took back all the money I’ve given away over the years.”
The former social worker has a history of charitable acts. When she was a student, she helped create an AIDS helpline and volunteered with St. John Ambulance, an organization that teaches first aid, as a child.
Over the past 3 years, Frances has used her winnings to create two foundations. One is the Kathleen Graham Trust, which was funded in honor of Frances’ late mother and was created “to support and enrich the lives of all sections of the communities in Strabane and Belfast”. The other, the PFC Trust, helps refugees, buys ipads for the elderly to help them stay in contact with their family, funds community groups that assist people in getting jobs, and supports young carers.
She’s says helping others “gives you a buzz”. She also says that winning a large amount of money doesn’t alter a person’s personality. “If you’re stupid before you get it, you’re going to be stupid afterwards,” she said.
Frances told BBC, “If I had any advice for a winner… I’d say money liberates you to be the person that you want to be.”
Charity is a good thing, whether it is in the amount of £60 million or 60 cents. Now it’s your turn… Tell me something good!
