British lottery winner gives away her £26m fortune

Big-hearted Lottery winner Margaret Loughrey plans to give away the majority of her £26million win and has given away millions already.

14:11 04 August 2014

Margaret Loughrey from Northern Ireland won EuroMillions jackpot last December, and over half of her £26m is gone already. However, it hasn't been squandered on fast cars and big houses. Instead, she's given it away to those less fortunate than her.

 

She said: "I know what it's like to have nothing. That's why I'm giving it away – I can't miss what I never had.

 

"I spent half of my adult life unemployed and the other half on the minimum wage so I know only too well how hard things can be."

 

Margaret was living on benefits of £58 a week before winning the jackpot. 

 

Her golden heart now benefits her hometown of Strabane. Today, she is the director of nine companies, including new firms registered just last week. 

 

She told the Sunday Life: "As soon as I won the money I said it would go for the good of the town.

 

"I've already given half of it away.

 

"I always said I'd keep £1million for myself and give the rest to the town.

 

"There is so much talent here in the Strabane area, people just need to be given a chance.

 

"Everyone has the right to work for a living, to support their families, to buy their own home, to run their own business.

 

"People just need to be given opportunities."