Within an hour of winning the UK National Lottery jackpot, Barbara Wragg had already told husband Ray how she wanted to spend her winnings: give it to those in need.
For the next 18 years, she was as good as her word.
This former hospital worker — who died last week — gave away an astonishing £5.5 million (US$7.3 million) of her £7.6 million (US$10.1 million) windfall. Hundreds of individuals benefited from her generosity. In her home city of Sheffield, she became known as the Lotto Angel.
"She used to say she couldn't believe how lucky we'd been to be able to help so many people," Ray said. "That sums Barbara up."
Tributes have poured in for the 77-year-old who passed away with sepsis. Hundreds were expected at her funeral on Thursday.
After using the 2000 win to secure the futures of their three children and six grandchildren, the couple set about identifying causes which could be helped by their new fortune. And, while they readily donated to established causes — cancer charities and Sheffield's hospitals were major beneficiaries — it was the smaller cases which perhaps best show the sheer human impact of the couple.
Among those were paying for 250 inner-city children to attend the pantomime for six years running. Another was funding a trip for 60 veterans to attend a reunion of the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy.
"Barbara read in the papers that it would be their last chance to go back and they couldn't afford it," says Ray, 80, a retired roofer. "She said to me, 'These men are heroes'. The next thing I knew she was on the phone telling them she'd pay. They thought it was a hoax to start with."
The good deeds started the week after they scooped the jackpot. Plans to open a teenager cancer unit at Sheffield's Weston Park Hospital — a cause close to the couple's heart after one of their daughters was diagnosed at 17 — had been struggling for funding. "We called and said we wanted to give whatever they needed to get things moving," remembers Ray.
Along similar lines, before taking early retirement, Barbara had worked in another city hospital. There, she saw first-hand how only having one bladder scanner caused pain for patients having to wait for its availability. She spent £9,000 buying another.
None of which is to say the couple did not treat themselves.
They moved to a posher part of Sheffield to a house with bay windows — "always Barbara's dream," says Ray.
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Thanks to dannyct for the tip.
Now this is an inspiring story. Took care of family first then to mostly total strangers. There are Angels amongst us, she just got her wings and away to Heaven she went.
It's been said that charity begins at home. However, giving away 75% of your winnings to others & leaving 3 million combined for her 3 children & 6 grandchildren & saying you " securing their future",that statement leaves me lightheaded.She had a generous heart & was loved by many, no doubt!
God Bless
and works Miracles in Mysterious Ways
R.I.P.
Eddessa_knight
I offer my condolences to Ray Wragg. Barbara Wragg his wife will be missed by so many.
One of their favorite sayings was, "Get Ready" when asked what they would do if they won again. They would do the same things.
This story shows the better side of lottery players. Many players have been blessed and not cursed.
She has her ultimate reward now. Condolences to her family. A true saint comes along only on rare occasions and she was one of the few.
I hope someone makes a movie about her. It would be worth it!
Genuine altruists are so rare.
R.I.P Lotto Angel
lovely - reading that was just lovely! my condolences to her family - they lost a lot when they lost her bright light.
"giving away 75% of your winnings"
She only gave away 75% if she collected her winnings and then stuffed the money in her mattress. If she invested the 7.6 million at just 4% (very easy to do safely at the time she won) it would have generated an annual income of 304k. Giving that away every year for 18 years would total 5.472 million, almost exactly what she gave away. The big question is then whether or not she was able to establish a charity and avoid paying income tax on the annual income or if she had to dip into the the principal.
Of course back in 2000 it's possible that she invested the money at a higher rate. Depending in their lifestyle and what/how securing the future for her kids entails she could still have 75% of the original amount invested.
Yes, that's a possibility Floyd. That is also a lot of " if's" as well.
Yes, your point demonstrates that it is very important to get independent, professional financial and legal advice, after winning a jackpot.
Many people who win, have the idea that they can solve the world's problems, but go broke trying.
Philthropy is the, mostly, hidden benefit of lotteries. Many winners of jackpots and large prize money, do make donations to charities and local community projects.
IT'S A WIN WIN SITUATION!
A Lottery winner cannot make everyone's dreams come true. I agree with you that they go broke trying too.
The last cashier who sold me my lottery tickets said, "Now give me $50,000.00 when you win." I told him what Barbara Corcoran a TV personality said, "Everybody has a $10,000.00 problem". Barbara discovered this after she sold her business for $10,000,000.00
I will be hiring help to say NO when I find it difficult to do that. After all, "I have never been a millionaire before".
Funny, they never say things like that to me. Lol If they did, I would have said why would I owe you a dime of any win??? I don't recall signing any agreement, do you?