How a £6m National Lottery winner in Cheshire is 'giving back' this Christmas
'We just hope that we are helping to make Christmas that little bit more special for those people who may be struggling at this time of the year'
Michele Jones gives a teddy to Billy Robinson.
National Lottery winner Michele Jones has been helping to make Christmas a little brighter for those struggling at this time of year. Michele, from Crewe, who won a £6.1m Lotto Jackpot with her partner Kevin in 2016, regularly gives her time to support the local food pantry – providing essential food items, toiletries, books, and toys for those who find the festive season a difficult time.
The Pantry@Sandbach Hub, which is run entirely by volunteers, supports more than 50 families in South Cheshire every week - and at Christmas time this number increases significantly. Michele, who gave up work as a school classroom assistant when she won the Lotto Jackpot, said: "Volunteering at the pantry is very special to me, and this will be my third festive season volunteering there.
"Winning the lottery has bought us time more than anything -the time to dedicate and support important charities like this, which do so much for the local community. I have really enjoyed spending the day wrapping presents for people, to take the pressure off this Christmas!
"Supporting and giving back close to home is really important to us and we just hope that we are helping to make Christmas that little bit more special for those people who may be struggling at this time of the year. It’s much more than just a food pantry. It's an opportunity for people to connect to a community - a warm hub where members can have cups of tea, toast, cakes and talk to friends.”
National Lottery winner Michele Jones volunteering at the pantry.
Ian Parsons, lead volunteer at The Pantry@Sandbach Hub, added: “We help more families than ever around Christmas time and just love to see the smiles on children’s faces when they visit us and pick out toys and books. Michele has been volunteering at The Pantry since we opened in 2022, and is a much-loved member of the team!"
Michele and Kevin, a former bus driver, won the Lotto jackpot after losing everything in a double-break-in over one weekend. Since their stroke of good luck, the couple has spent their newfound free time giving back to the community in addition to supporting numerous charities which are close to their hearts.
The pantry is open every Thursday between 10am and 3pm and from 6pm until 7pm, and operates on a referral basis.
- Non-perishable food items and toiletries can be donated at the Wesley Centre, Wesley Avenue, Sandbach, CW11 1DG, on any Thursday between 10am and 3pm and 6pm and 7pm, or collection can be arranged by emailing sandbachpantry@gmail.com . More details about The Pantry@Sandbach Hub can be found at sandbachpantry.org.uk.