I MADE MY OWN FOOTBALL PITCH IN BACK YARD
DOREEN Thompson bought land in her village to develop houses – but gave it to the council instead to save the local war memorial.
Doreen, 58, stepped in to preserve the treasured stone cenotaph which stood in the middle of the former coal mining village in Ystalyfera, near Swansea, and carries the names of the servicemen who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Respects
She explained: “Looking for an investment after we won the lottery, we bought the field to build four houses on, including a bungalow for our son.
“But we wanted to make sure the war memorial was safe, and when council members told us they feared it would have to be taken down and moved, we just donated them the land, so the whole community could pay their respects.
“It was the best thing we could do for the village, and our names are on a plaque, because we saved the memorial.”
Doreen was one of six hospital caterers who scooped a Euromillions jackpot of more than £25million in 2017.
The group, nicknamed The Catering Girls, each took away £4.2million and grandmother Doreen shared her winnings with husband Nigel and the rest of her family.
She is one of 25 winners whose stories are highlighted in a new photo exhibition which opens later this month to celebrate the Lottery’s 25th anniversary.
Doreen added: “As for us, we bought a new Mercedes car, but I prefer my old little car.” Matthew, 41, won £2.6million FOOTBALL-MAD Matthew Evans scooped £2.6million in 2015.
Matthew, 41, of Barry, South Wales, said: “I’m a Cardiff City season ticket holder, and an avid supporter of the Welsh national team. “So it made perfect sense for me to create my own football pitch… in my back yard.
“I installed a full-size football goal and eight-man dug-out in the garden and added a floral-inspired four-yard dragon mosaic in tribute to the national team. “If I’m not watching as a supporter, I’m having a kickabout with my dad and my pals.
“We all meet at my house before games.
Massive
“The win made my dreams come true.
“Welsh football and Cardiff City FC are my passions, so to be able to travel everywhere to watch them without having to take time off work, has been unreal.
“I’m also a massive fan of American football and American sport in general.
“But instead of watching on telly like I used to, I regularly fly to the States for live games with my favourite teams, like the Washington Redskins playing American football, Baltimore Orioles playing baseball and Washington Capitals in the ice hockey showdowns.”