David’s ‘putt-ing’ others first with help of £1MMillion Lotto win

David, a retired Day Services Officer for Surrey County Council, plans to build a crazy golf course in the back garden of the house he’s buying after his amazing £1MMillion Lotto win. The 67-year-old says he will encourage young adults with mental health and social care needs to use the course whenever they like.

He said, “It may sound a little crazy but, I am going to build a 3-hole crazy golf course in our new back garden. Why? I’ve seen over the years that physically engaging activities really do help and inspire young adults with mental health and social care needs. Many love crazy golf and so do I, so my ‘golf course’ will be open to anyone who needs it!”

David’s belief in the benefits of physical activity for adults with social care needs has seen him become a teacher of the all inclusive Paralympic sport of Boccia. He has even invented a new variety of the game which he calls Rainbow Boccia.

He explained, “I am very passionate about teaching Boccia, which is a fantastic sport for individuals with high support needs, and my thinking was to combine the competitive element with one where the participants could learn whilst playing. For example, if they are playing onto a map of the world it provides an opportunity to learn about each country. I’ve introduced the idea into the weekly sessions I run locally and it’s proving a hit.”

David is a fundraiser for many of the charities he supports, including Mencap, The Swans Club, Leatherhead Link and Children in Need. He said, “I am a true believer that it really is better to give than to receive and my fundraising and charity work is more than just a passion for me; it’s my life’s work. I am so excited by what I can do with my amazing slice of National Lottery good luck.”

Reflecting on his amazing win, David said it was sobering to think he nearly died 2 years ago when he developed sepsis. It was touch and go and doctors told his wife, Jacqui, to prepare for the worst.

He said, “Maybe it wasn’t my time and maybe my Dad was looking out for me from above, but the experience reinforced for me how important it is to make the most of life and do what you can to help others.”

His late father certainly had a hand in his amazing National Lottery win. David explained, “Ever since my Dad passed away, we’ve kept playing my Dad and Jacqui’s Dad’s Lotto numbers. We were lucky enough to have won about £12,000 3 years ago using his numbers – which were the numbers of houses he and I lived in over the years – but never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that these same numbers would lead to a £1MMillion win.”

8th November 2023