A couple who won £12.4 million on the Euromillions and celebrated with a simple Chinese takeaway have told how they decided to hand cheques to friends and family in need.
The duo, from Sale, Manchester were just ‘on-and-off’ EuroMillions players when they hit the jackpot in 2010, with Nigel Mather, now 55, working as a hotel manager at the time, while Sharon, now 50, having just returned to work In finance at Trafford Council from maternity leave, following the birth of the couple’s second son.
They managed their win with modesty, buying a home they can still afford and a vacation home in Wales. Before writing a list to give to people who were close to them.
Describing the moment of the win over a decade ago, Sharon told Manchester Evening News that they picked up the ticket while on holiday and only discovered they had won when they returned home.
Sharon Mather and Nigel Mather were both from Sale and Manchester when they won the EuroMillions jackpot in 2010. (seen]
It was easy to decide what the first home they would purchase – Sharon’s father wanted a bungalow.
They moved to Bowdon one year later, in the same home that they won. Then they decided to buy a vacation home in Abersoch in north Wales.
Sharon and Nigel rejected going public at first, but soon realized that they would have to lie about the sudden cash flow and make it more difficult for family and friends.
Sharon explained that Sharon was not proud of her accomplishments. Sharon said, “It wasn’t about showing off.”
Lottery winners Sharon and Nigel Mather, who won a £12.4 million jackpot, pictured deliver a Christmas hamper to 104-year-old war veteran Tom Beevers at his home in Merseyside
It was more complicated when they had to give some of their winnings away to friends and family. Sharon said it reminded her of the Secret Millionaire.
“My husband was once a hotel manger and made a spreadsheet that he went around to all 30 family members and friends. It almost seemed like Secret Millionaire.
“We’ve always believed that it was a responsibility to be able to spend the money we have and to make good use of it.
“We created a small card, put a check in it, and then gave it to them.”
However, it contained an important message for Nigel.
Sharon commented that the couple gifted some of their winnings as gifts to loved ones. It became an even bigger operation, one Sharon said was similar to the Secret Millionaire. Sharon delivered a hamper for a veteran.
In 2010, the couple celebrated their marriage with simple Chinese food. They shared how they made the decision to give cheques to family and friends in need.
Sharon stated, “He said a wonderful thing.” Sharon said that he told her to give him whatever he had given them, even though some were just acquaintances and gave them a token. But don’t take it all in the context of how much we’ve won. Instead think about what money can make a difference for you.
We can’t share it all because we have to care for our children and ourselves. Although we still have a lot of life ahead, our goal was to help as many people as possible.
However, their greatest donation was to Manchester Francis House Hospice. This was a very dear cause to them after the passing of their niece aged 18.
Nigel, his mother’s former employer at Stockdales is now chairman of the local charity Stockdales.
They visited the area with Christmas gifts one year and fell in love. Since then, they have donated regularly to them and helped organise fundraising events, such as an annual golf day or an autumn ball.
Sharon and Nigel have also found it important to maintain their children’s sanity as they raise millionaire sons.
Sharon and Nigel also have to be able to ground their sons as millionaire parents.
Reece turns 15 years old, and Lewis just turned 12; they are now just one and two at the moment of their huge family news.
Sharon stated, “They have just become used to it.” “It took us a long time to tell them. They wouldn’t understand it and kids at school were questioning their boys.
They came back and said, “Mum! Have we won the lottery?” They were so excited that they asked us to bring them back.
“We’ve always believed that you should respect the contributions of others, not brag and don’t show off. Our luck has just been good.
“We’ve always believed that it was a responsibility to be able to spend the money we have and to make good use of it.
They handled the life-changing win with modesty, buying a home they live in now and a vacation home in Wales. Before writing a list to give to their friends and family members.
Sharon stated that even at Christmas, children don’t need to be asked for silly things. They probably receive less than they ask for because we aren’t willing to give too much.
“Like being a parent winning the lottery does not come with a book. It is all about learning.
Sharon, eleven years later, says that there’s still one thing she wants to do.
“We were going to Hawaii for our 50th anniversary. Hawaii 5-0 she grinned. “But that’s evidently been delayed now. This is still on our list.
Sharon said that they are just thankful to be able to call themselves’still here, healthy,’ after 18 months.